Amritsar: To celebrate Prakash Gurpurb (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, a jatha of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today departed for Pakistan from SGPC office at Amritsar amid resonance of Jaikaras 'Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal'.
The leadership of this jatha has been enstrusted to former SGPC member Master Preet Singh, while SGPC officials Varinder Singh Tharu and Harpal Singh have been deputed for general management. Before the departure of jatha, SGPC member Bhai Manjit Singh, secretary Partap Singh and other officials, honoured jatha leaders and pilgrims with Siropao (robe of honour).
Speaking on this occasion, jatha leader Master Preet Singh said that it is his good luck that he got the opportunity to lead jatha to Pakistan for Prakash Gurpurb celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev.
SGPC member Bhai Manjit Singh said that although events are organised across the world to celebrate Parkash Gurpurb of Guru Nanak Dev, but being the part of his birth celebration moments at his birthplace (Nankana Sahib) is great fortune for pilgrims. He said the governments should not reject pilgrimage visas, as this hurts the sentiments of pilgrims.
He said this year SGPC had sent passports of 1,496 pilgrims for issuing visas to Pakistan High Commission but applications of 586 pilgrims have been rejected, which has caused resentment in their minds. He said it is very important issue and governments of both countries should pay special attention to this.
Meanwhile, SGPC secretary Partap Singh said that the jatha that departed to celebrate Prakash Gurpurb at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib will also visit other historical Sikh shrines in Pakistan. He said that on November 7, the jatha of pilgrims will pay obeisance at Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Mandi Chuharkhana (Sheikhupura) from Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. He said on November 8, the jatha will participate in the Prakash Gurpurb celebrations at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. On November 9, the pilgrims will depart for Gurdwara Panja Sahib at Hasan Abdal and after staying here on November 10, they will reach Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore on November 11. On November 13, jatha will visit Gurdwara Sri Rorhi Sahib, Eminabad, and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, will return to Dehra Sahib, Lahore in the evening. On November 14, the jatha will stop at Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore, from where it will return to India on November 15.
Secretary Pratap Singh said that for the convenience of the pilgrims, the SGPC provided the facility to fill the entry forms, etc. at the Attari border and 5 buses were arranged for transportation of the pilgrims from the immigration center to the border. He said that the SGPC also arranged langar and tea and water for the pilgrims.
Present during departure of jatha at SGPC office included SGPC secretary Partap Singh, additional secretary Bijai Singh, Balwinder Singh, Gurinder Singh, assistant secretary Gurdial Singh, Gurcharan Singh, superintendent Malkeet Singh, in-charge of Yatra Department Rajinder Singh, Balwinder Singh, Gurnam Singh, Manjit Singh, Major Singh, manager Sukhraj Singh and the Sangat.