Sikh Pilgrims Travel to Pakistan to Honor Maharaja Ranjit Singh

A group of 317 Sikh pilgrims, led by Khushvinder Singh Bhatia, departed from Amritsar, Punjab, to Pakistan to pay homage to Maharaja Ranjit Singh on his death anniversary. The journey, organized by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), aims to connect devotees with the historical legacy of the 19th-century Sikh ruler.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh, known as ‘Sher-e-Punjab,’ was the first king of the Sikh empire. He ruled Punjab for 40 years, fought against the Mughals, and promoted religious tolerance.

Pilgrims like Lakhbir Singh and Lovepreet Singh expressed their excitement for the spiritual voyage. Lakhbir Singh shared, “I am going to Pakistan to offer my prayers. We will return on June 30. This is my second visit, and I am very excited.” Lovepreet Singh, on his first pilgrimage, remarked, “I am going for the first time with a group of five-six people. I am very happy to have this opportunity.”

The pilgrims, equipped with visas and passports, are scheduled to visit various gurdwaras and other religious landmarks in Pakistan before returning to India on June 30. Last week, Pakistan issued 509 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to attend Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary.