LAHORE:
Over 2,000 Sikh yatrees from India arrived at the Wagah railway station on Monday to attend the 312th Baisakhi festival.
The pilgrims, who arrived via special trains, will be taken to the recently-renovated gurudwara at Punja Sahib in Hassan Abdal where the festival begins today (Tuesday). As many as 13,000 Sikh men and women, from Pakistan and India, are expected to participate in the festival, which marks the commencement of the Sikh new year.
On April 14, the pilgrims will go to Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, and return to Dera Sahib, Lahore, on April 17. They will also visit Dera Rohri Sahib, Aimanabad, and Kartarpur in Narowal, before they return to India on April 20.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) has made special arrangements to provide free transport, accommodation and food to the pilgrims during their 10-day stay. Stalls of immigration, customs and a medical camp have been set up at the railway station.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 12th, 2011.
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