350 Sikhs reach Pakistan for Ranjit Singh anniversary

Islamabad, June 22 (IANS) Around 350 Sikh pilgrims from India have arrived in Pakistan by a special train to observe the 173rd death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The Sikhs left for Gurdwara Janamasthan in Nankana Sahib by train after reaching Lahore Thursday, The News International reported Friday.

They will go to Hassan Abdal June 23 to visit Gurdwara Punja Sahib. They will also visit the Gurdwara Rori Sahib in Aimanabad.

The pilgrims will reach Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore June 26 to perform rituals for the death anniversary, the report said.

The programme will continue till June 30, and the pilgrims will leave for India the same day.

Ranjeet Singh ruled the undivided Punjab province from 1799 to 1839. He is revered as a hero by Sikhs.

Gurdwara Rori Sahib marks the site where Guru Nanak, after the destruction of Aimanabad town by Babur, lay on a hard bed of pebbles, according to the Sikhi Wiki website.

Gurdwara Punja Sahib is situated at Hasan Abdal, 48 km from Rawalpindi. It has a rock believed to have the handprint of Guru Nanak imprinted on it.