Over 200 Hindu pilgrims cross Wagah border on 10-day religious tour

Pilgrims will visit various temples in Sukkur, Ghotki and other Sindh towns

LAHORE: Pakistani officials accorded a warm welcome to 209 Hindu pilgrims from India, who crossed the Wagah Border on Wednesday to pay their respect at different temples situated inside Pakistan.

Most of the Indian pilgrims, who were visiting the country for the first, expressed their joy for the goodwill gesture extended by the officials of Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) at the Pakistan-India border.

The visitors were welcomed with garlands and their favourite food. Overjoyed with the love and respect, they said they did not feel like strangers in Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, ETPB secretary Tariq Wazir Khan assured the pilgrims an all-out support of the government. He said the visitors will be provided with best accommodation, travelling and security facilities.



He said the government was spending generously on renovation of holy sites of Sikhs and Hindus throughout the country.

The Indian guests will visit Shadani Darbar Temple in Ghotki on Thursday, perform religious rituals at Sadhu Bela Temple in Sukkur and Pannu Aqil on December 10 and then proceed to visit various temples in Khanpur Mehar, Deharki and Mirpur Mathelo before returning back to Lahore on December 15.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

A large number of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various their religious festivals and occasions every year.

Shadani Darbar Tirth, a 300-year old temple, is a sacred place for devotees from across the world. The Foundation of Shadani Darbar was laid at Hayat Pitafi Tehsil, Mirpur Mathelo, Ghotki district in 1786 by Sant Shadaram Sahib, who was born in Lahore in 1708.



The visit is in line with the government’s efforts for promoting visits to religious sites and people-to-people contacts.

The visit comes on the heels of groundbreaking of Kartarpur corridor to facilitate Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the holy gurdwara of Baba Guru Nanak Devji, the founder of the faith.

Prime Minister Imran Khan laid foundation stone of the massive development project with prominent guests from India in presence at the ceremony last month.