TAXILA: Gurdwara Punja Sahib on Sunday morning resonated with chants of ‘Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa’, ‘Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh’ and ‘Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal’, affirming the Sikh community’s devotion and faith, as pilgrims from across the world poured into the third most sacred place in Sikh religion in Hassanabdal to celebrate the 555th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak - the founder of Sikh religion.

The Sikh gurdwara was decorated with flowers, flags, banners and posters on the occasion, with thousands of devotees seen praying in the gurdwara’s vast courtyard.

Celebrations began early in the morning, with pilgrims taking a bath in the holy pond. The anniversary celebration concluded with the ritual of the ‘Bhog’ ceremony.

Sikhs from around the world, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, arrived at Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Hassanabdal to participate in the celebrations. Among them were 2,500 Sikhs from India.

Strict security measures were adopted on the occasion, with over 3,000 policemen deployed to provide foolproof security to the visiting Sikh pilgrims.

All roads leading to the gurdwara were cordoned off by officials of the law enforcement agencies, police, Elite Force and other officials. Markets and bazaars were also closed for the first time as part of security measures.

Since their arrival, pilgrims had been participating in several religious practices, including Akhand Paath (uninterrupted recitation of scriptures), Matha Tekna (bowing before the shrine), sacred bathing and Shabad Kirtan (devotional singing).

Meanwhile, the pilgrims thanked the government of Pakistan for the arrangements.

Sardar Surinder Singh and Amrit Singh, visitors from Canada, praised the Pakistani government for its consistent efforts in maintaining and beautifying Sikh gurdwaras, saying that they enjoyed warm hospitality extended by the government.

“Pakistan is the only country in the world where the government spends millions annually on Sikh gurdwaras’ decoration,” said one of the Sikh pilgrims Permeet Kaur.

Ms Kaur said she was overjoyed to see the upkeep of their worship places and facilities provided to the Sikh community in Pakistan.

Balwinder Singh, an Indian pilgrim while talking to this reporter, lauded the boarding and lodging arrangements made by the Pakistani government.

“We felt at home and have no concern about our safety or security,” he said, adding that they considered Pakistan their second home.

Other pilgrims, including Sardar Sukhwant Singh and Darya Singh, expressed admiration for the love and respect shown by the people of Pakistan. They also praised Pakistan’s exemplary efforts in safeguarding religious freedom, which they said served as a model for other nations.

Attock Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza also visited the gurdwara to monitor the boarding, lodging, and other facilities for Sikh pilgrims.

He said the district administration, with the collaboration of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC), made elaborate arrangements to ensure their stay in Hassanabdal was comfortable.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2024