TAXILA, Nov 30: Over 3,800 Sikh devotees from India and other parts of the world reached Gurdawara Punja Sahib, Hassanabdal, on Friday to offer religious rituals in connection with 544th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, founder of Sikh religion.

Over 2,300 Indian Sikhs were received by the officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and district administration at Hassanabdal railway station and shifted to Sikh temple Gurdwara Punja Sahib amid strict security.

The visitors were visibly happy to reach their destination for the religious pilgrimage for Sikhs.

On Friday, Gurdwara Punja Sahib echoed with Sikh religious slogans of Sat Sri Akal, Wahe guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe guru Ji Ki Fateh.

Besides, the pilgrims offerred their religious rituals including Akhand Path, Ashnan, Matha Teak, and recited from their holy book Granth Sahib.

Talking to Dawn, Dr Jang Bahadur Singh, leader of the Indian contingent, expressed his satisfaction over the maintenance of Sikh gurdwaras in Lahore, Punja Sahib, Hassanabdal and other parts of the country.

He said that they were taking the message of love, peace and friendship with them.

He said that they would never forget the warm reception given to them by Pakistanis.

Due to security threat the city was put under red alert.

All the roads and streets leading to the Sikh gurdwaras were sealed.

All bazaars and markets along with the gurdwara were closed and Sikh pilgrims were not allowed to go outside Punja Sahib.