Lahore: Over 2,500 Indian Sikhs have arrived in Pakistan to celebrate the 546th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, at his birthplace Nankana Sahib near here in Punjab province.
Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Sadiqul Farooq and Pakistan Gurdwara Parbhandik Committee officials received the pilgrims at the Wagah Railway Station.
“More than 2,500 Indian Sikhs arrived here today in three special trains. They were provided with lungar [food] at the Wagah Railway Station. They left for Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hasan Abdal on special buses,” ETPB spokesman Aamir Hashmi told PTI.
He said Rangers and police personnel have been deployed for the security of the pilgrims at Nankana Sahib city, near Lahore, considered to be the birthplace of Guru Nanak.
“During their 10-day stay the Indian Sikhs will also visit different Gurdwaras in Punjab province. They will reach Gurdwara Janamathan Nankana Sahib on November 25 to attend the main event in connection with the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak,” Mr. Hashmi said.
The ETPB, which looks after the minority worship places in Pakistan, has recently built more residential blocks at Gurdwara Janamasthan to provide accommodation to visiting pilgrims.
Besides Indian Sikhs, many pilgrims have arrived from different European countries and the USA and Canada.
The local Sikhs and Hindus will also participate in the event.
The Indian Sikhs will return for their home on November 29.
Guru Nanak's birthday is celebrated as Gurpurab on Kartik Poornima, the full-moon day that falls on different dates each year in the month of October—November.
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