TAXILA: On the last day of Baisakhi festival on Saturday Gurdwara Punja Sahib was echoed with the Sikh religious chants of Wahe guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe guru Ji Ki Fateh and Jo bolay so nihal.

The devotees also perform Kirtan, a Sikh devotional music, which was followed by Ardaas (Dua) where they sought divine forgiveness of their sins.

At the end, parsad, a traditional sweet served at Hindu and Sikh religious ceremonies, was distributed. Much jubilation and enthusiasm was seen on the last and concluding day as the Gurdwara was jam packed with the Hindu and Sikh yatrees wearing colorful dresses.

Men with yellow turban and women with colorful dresses were seen roaming inside and outside of the Gurdwara with much enjoyment seen on their faces.

After the concluding ceremony, around 1,500 Indian pilgrims left for Nankana Sahib through special trains.

They will also go to Gurdwara Sacha Sauda Farooqabad, Gurdwara Dera Sahib Lahore, Rohri Sahib Amanabad, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur at Narowal and Gurdwara Dera Sahib Lahore. They will leave for India on April 21.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2017