LAHORE: Up to 124 Hindu pilgrims crossed over to Attari from Wagah on Wednesday after a seven-day visit to their religious places here.

Led by Shiv Partab Bajaj, one delegation had a overnight stay at Gurdawara Dera Sahib in Lahore and departed for Katas village in Chakwal for their rituals at Katasraj, a complex of ancient Hindu temples. Another batch of pilgrims left Lahore for Mirpur Mathelo on Dec 10 to attend the 307th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Shadharam at Shadani Darbar Hayat Batafi.

Mr Bajaj told reporters near Wagah check post that he was overwhelmed by the respect extended to them by the common people of Pakistan. “I will hold a press conference in India to inform the people there of the measures by the Pakistan government for the upkeep of our temples and other worship places,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2015