Hindus gather to catch glimpse of Indian saint

Sant Yudistar Lal gifted a Hindu god’s idol to the Sadh Bello temple as Indian delegation visits.

SUKKUR: Hundreds of Hindus gathered on Thursday at Sadh Bello temple in Sukkur to catch a glimpse of a Hindu saint, who was visiting from Raipur, India.

Sant Yudister Lal is the gaddi nasheen [disciple] of Shadhani Darbar Hayat Pitafi and from the eighth generation of Sant Autar Baba Shadha Ram, whose shrine is located in Ghotki district. He visits the shrine and the temple in Sukkur every year along with a delegation of Hindu yatris [pilgrims] but this year he has brought a present for Sadh Bello temple.

Sant Lal came from Raipur with an idol of Bhagwan Ganesh and presented it to the people of Sukkur. Even though the Sukkur Hindu Panchayat made arrangements at the bank of the River Indus for only 500 people, a lot more people were present. Men, women and children were standing on their toes just to catch a glimpse of the revered man.

Sukkur Hindu Panchayat president Mukhi Eshwar Lal, other members of the association and Sindh chief minister’s special adviser Rashid Rabbani welcomed the saint as he walked in amid a shower of rose petals. The members of the delegation were also presented with traditional Sindhi caps and Ajraks.

Later, Sant Lal placed the idol inside the temple. A group of young men prepared a ‘dandiya’ dance for the Indian visitors while the women were busy singing hymns. The association ensured that security arrangements were in place as a heavy contingent of police and Rangers were deployed.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2010.