Sikh Pilgrimage: Devotees Journey to Pakistan for Baisakhi
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New Delhi, April 9 (NationPress) On Thursday, a group of Sikh devotees departed from Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in New Delhi, embarking on a pilgrimage to Pakistan to visit their sacred sites in celebration of the upcoming festival of Baisakhi.
The pilgrimage includes a total of 2,840 devotees from various parts of the country, with 409 participants hailing from Delhi.
One devotee expressed their excitement, stating: "It brings us immense joy that, following ‘Operation Sindoor,’ the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee successfully appealed to the Ministry of Home Affairs. In both November and now, permission was granted for a special jatha, allowing us to visit these revered sites. We are thrilled to be part of this journey, with 2,840 individuals coming together from across the nation, including 409 from Delhi."
Another devotee remarked, “We are grateful to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. Upon reaching our destination and offering our prayers, we will extend our thanks to both the Committee and the Government of India. Our journey will commence directly to Amritsar, and from there, we will continue onward.”
Baisakhi, celebrated on April 14, signifies the harvest festival and the start of the Punjabi New Year, a time for community gatherings, expressions of gratitude, and traditional festivities.
The roots of Baisakhi lie in the harvest of rabi (winter) crops, particularly wheat, symbolizing prosperity and joy. Additionally, Baisakhi holds significant religious importance in Sikhism, commemorating the establishment of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. On this day, the tenth Guru initiated the Khalsa, a collective body of baptized Sikhs, promoting values of equality, bravery, and unwavering devotion.