Pakistan issues visas to Indian Hindu pilgrims to visit historic temples

A day earlier, 47 pilgrims were issued visas to visit Shree Katas Raj temples


Asif Mehmood December 22, 2020
Hindu pilgrims walk back after taking a dip at the confluence of the Ganges River and the Bay of Bengal at Sagar Island, south of Kolkata, India, on January 14, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pakistan on Tuesday issued visas to Indian Hindu pilgrims to visit the Shadani Darbar in Sukkur and Katas Raj temples in Punjab's Chakwal district.

The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued visas to two groups of pilgrims in December 2020 to visit their revered sites in Pakistan.

On Monday, a group of 47 Indian pilgrims were issued visas to visit the Shree Katas Raj temples - also known as Qila Katas or complex of Katas Temples - in Chakwal from December 23 to 29.

The Katas Raj temples surround a sacred pond to Hindu devotees.

Meanwhile, another group of 44 pilgrims returned to India after their visit to Pakistan, where they participated in the 312th birth anniversary celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib in Sukkur from December 15 to 21.

Over three centuries old, the Shadani Darbar temple is a holy place for devotees from across the world. The temple was founded in 1786 by Sant Shamdaram Sahib, who was born in Lahore in 1708.

Thousands of Indian Sikhs and Hindu pilgrims visit Pakistan under the bilateral agreement 'Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974' to observe several religious festivals every year.

The visas issued from New Delhi are in addition to the visas granted to Sikh and Hindu pilgrims participating in these events from other countries.

The issuance of pilgrimage visas to Sikh and Hindu pilgrims is part of the Government of Pakistan’s endeavors to facilitate their visits to religious shrines.

Pakistan remains committed to preserving sacred religious places and extending all possible facilitation for the visiting pilgrims of all faiths.

COMMENTS (1)

Active Tours Pakistan | 2 years ago | Reply It is always encouraging between both countries to extend bilateral relations and also to restore family business relations by visiting the holy shrines of Muslim Sikh Hindus. I am an tour operator activetourspakistan.com and trying to boost religious tourism in Pakistan. Many of Sikhs Hindus communities not only from India but also from around the world especially from Canada USA and Europe are eager to perform YATRA or PILGRIMAGE by visiting Pakistan. No doubt Pakistan is a Jewel with lot of heritages rich culture history and adventure. I personally will request both countries to restore the fruitful relation so both nationals can be benefited.
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