The three-day
celebrations, known as Guru Nanak Gurpurb, will begin at Nankana Sahib on
November 27.
Every year, a
large number of Sikh pilgrims from India and different parts of the world
gather at Gurdwara Janamasthan Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, in
Pakistan’s Punjab province to mark his birth anniversary.
However, the
Covid-19 pandemic is likely to affect festivities this year.
VISA WILL EXPIRE
ON DECEMBER 2
Indian pilgrims
will be offered a five-day visa to enter the country upon the proof of a
mandatory Covid-19 negative test, The Express Tribune reported.
The Waqf
Property Board and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) have
also sent regular invitations and itineraries to Sikh societies, including the
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, for attending the festivities.
In view of the
coronavirus pandemic, Sikhs from India will be allowed to stay in the country
only for a limited period of time, with no extensions.
The special
five-day Nankana Sahib visa will effectively expire on December 2.
“All pilgrims
coming to partake in the festivities of Baba Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary
will required to observe and abide by all Covid-19 standard operating
procedures throughout their stay, even after showing the mandatory negative
Covid-19 test,” an official of the country’s Waqf board said.
NO STAY OR
SHOPPING IN LAHORE
For the first
time, Sikh pilgrims visiting the country will also not have the option to stay
or shop in Lahore and be required to exit the country upon conclusion of
religious festivities.
According to
Satwant Singh, Indian pilgrims will be welcomed at the Wagah border on November
27, from where they will be taken to Nankana Sahib through a special bus
service.
“The pilgrims
will have access to Gurdwaras in Nankana Sahib and will also get to participate
in the nagar kirtan (religious procession). At the end of which, they will be
shuttled back to Wagah on December 1, to head back to India,” he said.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/pakistan-invites-indian-sikhs-for-guru-nanak-s-551st-birth-anniversary-at-nankana-sahib-on-november-27
Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi
