Chandigarh: After Operation Sindoor, the first Sikh jatha on Tuesday set off from Amritsar for Attari to cross into Pakistan for the celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Parkash Purb at Gurdwara Janamsthan in Nankana Sahib. The occasion, one of the holiest in the Sikh calendar, will be observed on November 5, drawing devotees from across the world to pay homage at the birthplace of the first Sikh Guru.
This year, the Central government has permitted only Indian citizens to join the jatha, marking a notable change from previous years when Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) were also allowed to take part in the pilgrimage. Confirming the development, Palwinder Singh, in charge of the Yatra Vibhag of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), said he was unaware of the reasons behind this restriction, though he noted that the enthusiasm among devotees remains undiminished.
Over 2,000 pilgrims form part of the first batch of the jatha, which will visit several historic gurdwaras in Lahore and Nankana Sahib, including Gurdwara Panja Sahib and Gurdwara Dera Sahib. The group will return to India on November 13 after completing the week-long pilgrimage. Many among them are first-time visitors who had long awaited the opportunity to bow their heads at the Guru’s birthplace — a site that holds immense emotional and spiritual significance for Sikhs worldwide.
The jatha’s departure comes days after the Centre initially declined permission for travel to Pakistan, citing heightened security concerns following a limited drone exchange between the two countries. The decision had sparked discontent among Sikh organisations, who appealed for reconsideration, arguing that the pilgrimage to Nankana Sahib was not just a religious tradition but also a centuries-old cultural bridge. Responding to the appeals, the government later reversed its stance, allowing a limited but symbolic jatha to maintain continuity of the historic yatra.
The SGPC made elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims’ journey. Around 1,796 devotees boarded buses from Heritage Street near the Golden Temple early in the morning, with the first convoy leaving at 8 a.m. The remaining pilgrims, representing various Sikh bodies and local committees, travelled directly to the Attari border to join the main group. Officials of the SGPC were present to oversee the arrangements and ensure a smooth transition through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari.
Before departure, the pilgrims offered ardas (prayer) at the Golden Temple, seeking blessings for a safe and peaceful journey. The scene was filled with devotion — men, women and children dressed in traditional attire, carrying saffron flags and chanting “Satnam Waheguru” as they boarded the buses.
For many devotees, the journey holds deep meaning beyond faith — it is a chance to connect with the roots of Sikh heritage and retrace the footsteps of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. As one elderly pilgrim from Gurdaspur said, “It is like returning to the home of our Guru. We are blessed to witness this moment after years of waiting.”
The Parkash Purb celebrations at Nankana Sahib are expected to see thousands of pilgrims from across the world. The main events will include kirtan darbars, nagar kirtans and community langars. The jatha’s visit marks the renewal of an enduring spiritual link between the Sikh community in India and the sacred sites in Pakistan associated with the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
