Amritsar, April 12, 2021 (Yes Punjab News)
To celebrate the Khalsa Sajna Diwas (Baisakhi) at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal, in Pakistan, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday, April 12, 2021, dispatched a jatha (group) of Sikh pilgrims amidst the high-pitched victory slogans (Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal).
The jatha sent to Pakistan by the SGPC is lead by SGPC member S. Harpal Singh Jallah, SGPC member S. Gurmeet Singh Booh is sub-leader and S. Amarjit Singh Bhalaipur, SGPC members S. Balwinder Singh Veyi Puyi, Bibi Joginder Kaur along with general manager S. Gurcharan Singh Kohala are also part of the jatha.
SGPC executive committee member Baba Charanjit Singh Jassowal, secretary S. Mahinder Singh Ahli, and SGPC officials dispatched the jatha leaders after honouring them with Guru’s blessing Siropaos (robe of honours).
Speaking on the occasion, jatha leader S. Harpal Singh Jallah thanked SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur for handing over the leadership of the jatha to him. “There are many historic Gurdwaras of the Sikh community in Pakistan and for the darshan (glimpse) of the same, every Sikh prays daily. The pilgrims of the jatha are fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the holy shrines.”
On this occasion, SGPC secretary S. Mahinder Singh Ahli said, “Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee had sent 793 passports to the Central Government and Pakistan Embassy to send a jatha to celebrate Khalsa Sajna Diwas, out of which 437 pilgrims got visas while 356 pilgrims did not get the same. The government should issue visas to as many Sikh pilgrims as possible so that they could visit their respective shrines.”
“On the instructions of SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur, for Gurdwaras in Pakistan, the Santhiya Sanchis (lesson volumes) of Gurbani, kakaars (five symbols of Sikh faith) for Amrit Sanchar besides cholas (traditional Sikh attire), khandas, harmonium sets, turbans, loyis (woolen shawls), etc. have been sent there”, said S. Mahinder Singh Ahli.
While dispatching the jatha, SGPC additional secretary S. Paramjit Singh Saroa, assistant secretary S. Kulwinder Singh Ramdas, OSD to SGPC president Dr Amrik Singh Latifpur, S. Satbir Singh, superintendent Malkit Singh Beharwal, S. Balwinder Singh Khairabad in-charge Yatra, manager Narinder Singh Mathrewal and a large number of SGPC staff and pilgrims were present.
Pilgrims will visit these shrines in Pakistan
Pilgrims visiting Pakistan to celebrate Khalsa Sajna Diwas (Baisakhi) will visit various shrines. While the pilgrims will participate in the function to be held at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib on April 13 on the occasion of Khalsa Sajna Diwas (Baisakhi), they will go from Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib to Sri Nankana Sahib on April 14 and the local Gurdwaras at Sri Nankana Sahib on April 15. The jatha will go to Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Sheikhupura on April 16, Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore on April 17-18, Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib on April 19 where the jatha will have a night rest. The jatha will then visit Gurdwara Rori Sahib on April 20 and stop at Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore on April 21, from where it will return home to India on April 22.
