TAXILA: Over 500 Indian Sikh pilgrims on Saturday attended Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s 420th martyrdom anniversary and Jor Mela offered their religious rituals at Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hassanabdal.

The Indian Sikh pilgrims reached here in the early hours ofSaturdayfromGurdwara Sacha Sauda Farooqabad by road amid strict security.

The visiting Indian Sikh pilgrims were welcomed by Evacuee Trust Property Board officials and office bearers of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. According to Sikh tradition, the event is also called Shaheedi Jor Mela or Shaheedi Purab of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, who is believed to have been martyred for the Sikh cause. OnSaturday, Sikh pilgrims offered several religious rites including matha thek and Ashnan.

Hundreds of followers paid homage to the guru and prominent preachers narrated tales from the guru’s life and talked about the details of his martyrdom in the Mughal era. Kirthi jathas or religious singing groups gave performances for the congregation and urged people to follow teachings of the fifth guru of Sikhism and to lead a pious and meaningful life.

Later, they also visited the shrine of Baba Wali Kandhari.

Due to the harsh weather, the health department also established a special medical camp on the way to Baba Wali Kandhari which is located on a hilltop. Talking to media persons, Indian Sikhs Group leader Sardar Gurmeet Singh Bohar said they were happy to visit their holy places. He said Sikh pilgrims had always been welcomed by Pakistani authorities.

Mr Bohar saidGuru Arjun Dev Jee was born on April 15, 1563, at Goindwal, a small town on the bank of River Beas in the district of Amritsar. He had command over Gurmukhi, Persian, Hindi and Sanskrit.

Throughout his life, he preached love for humanity, equality, respect for all religions and equal treatment of all mankind.Guru Arjun compiled the Guru Granth Sahib in 1604.

He was imprisoned and killed in 1606 by Emperor Jahangir. According to historians, Chandu Lal, a Hindu, was an official during Emperor Jahangir’s rule and wanted his daughter to marry Guru Arjun’s son, Guru Hargobind.

However, when Guru Hargobind refused to marry her, it is believed that Chandu Lal instigated Jahangir to kill Guru Arjun. Guru Arjan was pushed into River Ravi while a crowd stood and watched.

His body never came up to the surface and it is believed that the guru disappeared alive.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2026