3,000 Sikhs to visit Pakistan on Baisakhi

Islamabad, April 4 (IANS) Around 3,000 Sikh devotees from India will visit Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak which is now in Pakistan, to celebrate Baisakhi festival.

Sikh devotees would travel via the Wagah border April 10 through three special trains, the Online news agency reported.

Guru Nanak was born in Nankana Sahib on Baisakhi, April 15, 1469. Nankana town is part of Nankana Sahib district of Punjab province.

Baisakhi would also be celebrated in the Gurdwara Panja Sahib for three days.

Gurdwara Panja Sahib, situated in Hasan Abdal, around 50 km from Rawalpindi, is one of the most holy places of the Sikhs. The gurdwara has a rock believed to have the hand print of Guru Nanak.

The devotees would also visit Gurdwara Sahib Sacha Sauda, at Chuharkana in Sheikhupura district -- the place where Guru Nanak fed a group of ascetics with a sum of Rs.20 his father had given him.

Later, the Sikhs would also visit Aimanabad on a pilgrimage to Gurdwara Rori Sahib.

In 1521, when the armies of Mughal emperor Babar entered Punjab, Guru Nanak was present in the town. At the time of its capture, many people were arrested, among whom was Guru Nanak.

At the time of the arrest, Guru Nanak was sitting on pebbles and was busy in prayers. The gurdwara stands at the place of the pebbles.