Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): A contingent of Sikh devotees will arrive back in India on Sunday via the Attari-Wagah border crossing after completing their pilgrimage to Pakistan during the Baisakhi festival.
The group, consisting of more than 2,200 members, had crossed over earlier this month to take part in religious ceremonies marking Khalsa Sajna Diwas. The visit was made possible through special arrangements, as the border had remained largely restricted in the aftermath of last year’s security incident in Jammu and Kashmir.
A majority of the pilgrims were from Punjab and travelled under the coordination of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The delegation was led by senior functionary Surjit Singh Tugalwal, while other participants joined from different regions of the country through support from Sikh organisations, including the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee.
During their stay, the devotees visited several historically significant shrines associated with Sikh heritage, including Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Gurdwara Rori Sahib and Gurdwara Dehra Sahib. The pilgrimage allowed them to participate in religious rituals and commemorative events at these sites.
Authorities at the Attari border have made necessary arrangements to receive the returning group, with additional checks in place to ensure compliance with security protocols. Officials have tightened procedures following previous irregularities involving pilgrims not returning with their group.
In response to such concerns, organisers have introduced stricter guidelines, particularly for individual travellers, to ensure accountability and smooth coordination during such cross-border visits.
The return of the jatha marks the conclusion of a significant religious journey, reflecting continued efforts to facilitate faith-based travel while maintaining vigilance at international crossings.
