NAROWAL: The 322nd Besakhi Mela will be celebrated at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur on Monday (today). For the first time ever, Indian Sikh pilgrims will be able to spend a night at the gurdwara where they will be allowed in only after adopting all coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Besides the 818 Sikh pilgrims from India, yatrees from Pakistan, Dubai, the US and Canada are set to participate in the festival here.

Sardar Inder Jait Singh, a member of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, said that on arrival at Kartarpur, the Sikh pilgrims will be welcomed by officials and members of the committee, the gurdwara administration and Evacuee Trust Property Board. The pilgrims will be showered with petals and presented with bouquets of flowers.

For the first time in history, the Indian Sikh pilgrims will stay a night at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib for which all arrangements had been made. Earlier, these pilgrims would come to Kartarpur in the morning and return to Lahore or Nankana Sahib in the evening. On their arrival here, food, fruits, tea and drinks will also be offered to the pilgrims.

Strict security arrangements have also been completed for the Besakhi Mela. Unauthorised people would be barred from entering the gurdwara. Security personnel will be deployed on all highways leading to it. A medical camp has also been set up to facilitate the pilgrims. Rescue 1122 will also perform its duties to deal with any emergencies.

Narowal Deputy Commissioner Zaheer Hassan said a facilitation desk had been set up for the pilgrims where they will also be provided facemask and sanitisers. Each pilgrim must possess a negative PCR test report conducted at least 72 hours earlier in order to enter the gurdwara. He said social distancing will be strictly followed and body temperatures checked at the entrance to the premises.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2021