Sikh procession crosses Wagah to Lahore for congregation

Wagah, June 12 (UNI) The religious procession comprising 142 Sikh devotees today crossed the Wagah border to reach Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore for the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of fifth Guru Arjan Dev on June 16.

Former Punjab chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Parkash Singh Badal, Shiromani Gudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Avtar Singh and other Akali leaders were part of the procession which crossed the border late this afternoon amid slogans of 'Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal'.

The devotees carried their holy book Guru Granth Sahib in a 'palki' (palanquin) which would be gifted to the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore.

Tomorrow, nearly 3,000 Sikh pilgrims under the aegis of the SGPC would proceed to Pakistan from the Atari railway station here for the mega event in the Gurdwara at Lahore.

However, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) members, including its president Harvinder Singh Sarna remained abstained from the procession.

It may be recalled that the DSGMC was denied permission by the Pakistan authorities for taking a 2,000 strong procession to Pakistan via the Wagah joint check post.

The today's 'nagar kirtan' to Lahore, comprising 142 devotees, began from the Golden Temple after 'ardas' (prayer) at the Akal Takht which was performed by high priests.

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