AMRITSAR: A Jatha of 317 Sikh pilgrims left today amidst the echo of Khalsai cheers to participate in the events being held in Pakistan by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee on the occasion of the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
On the occasion of the departure of the jatha from the headquarter of the Shiromani Committee, Secretary of the Shiromani Committee. Pratap Singh and Balwinder Singh Kahlwan along with other officers, leader of the jatha. Khushwinder Singh Bhatia, Deputy Leader Gurmeet Singh Booh, Bibi Harjinder Kaur and Secretary Guru Bakhshish Siropao was given to Gurcharan Singh Kohala.
Secretary of Shiromani Committee. Pratap Singh said that every year on the occasion of the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a jatha of Sikh pilgrims are sent to visit the Gurdhams of Pakistan.
This time the Shiromani Committee had sent the passports of 340 pilgrims to the Pakistan Embassy for visas, out of which 317 pilgrims have received visas.
Pratap Singh said that there is a great desire among the Sikh community to visit the Gurdwaras located in Pakistan, for which the governments should give visas freely so that the devotees can visit their Gurdhams.
In the meantime, the leader of the jatha and member of the team. Khushwinder Singh Bhatia said that thanks to Guru Bakhshish, he got the privilege of leading the Jatha .
Before attending the anniversary celebrations of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the devotees in the jatha will visit Gurudwara Sri Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda Mandi, Chuharkana Sheikhupura, Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Dehra Sahib Lahore etc.
After participating in the anniversary celebrations of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the jarha will return on June 30.
On the occasion of the departure of the jatha, the Secretary of the Shiromani Committee. Apart from Pratap Singh, Secretary of Dharma Prachar Committee. Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, Additional Secretary. Bijay Singh, Deputy Secretary Gurcharan Singh Kuhala, s. Jaswinder Singh Jassi, Prof. Sukhdev Singh, S. Balwinder Singh Khairabad, S. Gurnam Singh, S. Manjit Singh Talwandi, Mr. Harbhajan Singh Wakta, s. Sukhbir Singh, Superintendent Nishan Singh, in charge of travel department. Palwinder Singh, Mr. Malkit Singh Beharwal, Associate Manager. Gurtinderpal Singh and others were present.