The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has secured visas for 290 Sikh pilgrims who will travel to Pakistan to commemorate the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The pilgrimage also includes visits to historic Sikh shrines across the border.
Departure Scheduled for June 21
The Sikh jatha is set to depart from the SGPC headquarters in Amritsar on the morning of June 21. This annual pilgrimage is organized in connection with the commemorative events for Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Gurdwara Sri Dera Sahib in Lahore.
Visa Processing Details
According to Gurinder Singh Mathrewal, Secretary of the SGPC Dharam Prachar Committee, passports of 302 pilgrims were submitted to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi for visa processing. Of these, 290 pilgrims received visas, while 12 applicants were denied travel clearance.
Pilgrimage Itinerary
The visiting Sikh delegation will pay obeisance at various gurdwaras in Pakistan before participating in the main anniversary events scheduled for June 29. The jatha is expected to return to India on June 30 after completing the pilgrimage.
Mathrewal advised pilgrims whose visas have been approved to collect their passports from the SGPC office on June 20 and 21.
Significance of the Pilgrimage
This annual pilgrimage allows Sikh devotees to visit several shrines associated with Sikh history and heritage, including those linked to Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire. The visit strengthens religious ties and promotes cultural understanding between India and Pakistan.
