ATTOCK/WAH CANTT: The three-day religious festival of Sikhs, Besakhi, Sunday began at Gurdwara Siri Punja Sahib Hasanabdal with ritual Paat Sahib.
Decorated with flags and banners, fully illuminated Gurdwara Punja Sahib donned a festive look. The Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee renovated the main building in collaboration with Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).
Thousands of Sikh yatrees (pilgrims) from across the world, including over 2,000 from India, converged on Hassanabdal to participate in Besakhi celebrations.
A large number of the yatrees came from Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Peshawar, Swat, Tando Adam, Larkana, Sukkur, Badin, Umar Kot, Karachi and Lahore.
The local administration have made elaborate lodging arrangements for the yatrees at schools. The Sikh yatrees during the three-day celebrations will perform different rituals, including recitation of their holy book Guru Garant.
Talking to the media, ETPB Chairman Siddiqul Farooq said on the directives of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, all arrangements, including accommodation, medical, travelling and security, had been made to facilitate the yatrees.
The yatrees, he said, would be provided foolproof security, so that they could fully enjoy their religious festival.
Deputy Secretary Shrines Syed Faraz Abbas told newsmen that Indian Sikhs had been provided accommodation in the Gurdwara while local Sikhs were adjusted in government schools.
He said over 1,000 policemen had been deployed to provide security to the yatrees..
Indian Sikh group leaders Sardar Amreet Singh, Sardar Amarjeet Singh, Sardar Sawaran Singh and Jagjeet Singh Bhalar expressed their satisfaction over the arrangements made by the administration for them.
They said they were enjoying home-like environment and performing their religious rituals in a peaceful environment.
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