Indian Sikh pilgrims, under the supervision of the Evacuee Trust Property Board and the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, participated in the traditional harvesting of wheat crops at the sacred fields of Guru Nanak Dev Maharaj at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur.
The event was organized by the Project Management Unit Kartarpur and coincided with the vibrant Vaisakhi celebrations.
The pilgrims, accompanied by CEO of the Project Management Unit Abubakar Aftab Qureshi, Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar, Provincial Minister for Minorities Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, and Sikh leaders, expressed their deep spiritual joy while harvesting crops, chanting “Bole So Nihal” as they worked in the fields of their revered spiritual leader.
Pilgrims Praise Hospitality and Festivities
The Sikh pilgrims appreciated the warm hospitality extended to them and commended the Government of Pakistan and the Evacuee Trust Property Board for preserving Sikh heritage and organizing the Vaisakhi and Khalsa Janam Din festivities. They especially praised the arrangements made at key Gurdwaras, including Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hassan Abdal, and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur.
Kabaddi Matches and Cultural Performances Add Colour to Celebrations
As part of the Vaisakhi celebrations, a traditional Kabaddi match was held under the joint efforts of the Project Management Unit Kartarpur and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. Pilgrims participated enthusiastically, enjoying traditional Punjabi dances such as Bhangra, and expressed their joy and gratitude, chanting “Pakistan Zindabad.”
Pilgrims’ Journey Continues Across Punjab
On the eighth day of their religious visit to Pakistan, 5,780 Indian Sikh pilgrims continued their scheduled journey. A group of 65 buses carrying pilgrims from Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hassan Abdal, arrived in Lahore, while another group of 62 buses made a stop at Gurdwara Rohri Sahib, Eminabad, before reaching Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore.
After a one-day stay in Lahore, the pilgrims are scheduled to return to India via the Wagah Border on April 19.
