By Parveen Chopra
New York: The American Punjabi Society organized a group of 135 pilgrims from New York to visit Guru Nanak’s birthplace and other gurdwaras in Pakistan under a softened visa protocol.
Their sentimental trip from November 21-30, 2024 was timed with Guru Nanak’s 556th birth anniversary observed on November 15.
The large New York jatha was led by Gary S. Sikka, President of the American Punjabi Society (APS). He had met Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington, DC to make the yatra safe and smooth.
Besides Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak in Punjab province, the jatha visited three other major gurdwaras associated with the life of the founder of Sikhism.
Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara commemorates where he settled in the last part of his life. Near the border, it is accessible from India thanks to the Kartarpur Corridor opened five years ago.
Gary Sikka was felicitated at Nankana Sahib gurdwara for organizing the pilgrimage to Pakistan. (Photo courtesy American Punjabi Society)
Sacha Sauda gurdwara, 57 miles from Lahore, celebrates an episode when a young Nanak receives 20 rupees from his father to do trading instead spends it on meals for mendicants. That is the origin of the Sikh tradition of langar. Panja Sahib gurdwara is in Hassan Abdal, near Islamabad. A boulder there is believed to have Guru Nanak’s handprint (Panja) when he made water gush from behind it.
Ramesh Singh Arora, Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs, told the New York jatha that from November 2024, restrictions have been lifted on the movement of Sikh pilgrims from 126 countries. American, Canadian, and British passport holders can get a free visa on arrival. Sikka says that APS has requested Islamabad to extend the restriction-free pilgrim visa to India also.
The jatha included at least 15 Hindus. They also prayed at Hindu temples near Lahore and included Gobind Bathija, founder of the Asa Mai Hindu temple in Hicksville, NY. The Hinglaj Mata temple in Balochistan is known as one the 51 Shakti Peethas; Sharada Peeth in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir is another.
The pilgrims, mostly from Long Island, approved of the upkeep of the gurdwaras. Paul S. Bindra, APS Vice President, was most impressed by the majestic vista and pious atmosphere of Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara. He was moved by the sight of Muslims and Hindus joining Sikhs in prayerful worship there.
Many members of the group mention the love showered on them by the locals. Some got emotional visiting places associated with their parents. “I could experience Sialkot, my dadke (grandparents’ place)!” said Jyoti Bhatia Gupta. Raj Sharma was welcomed by the entire village when he visited his ancestral home in Gujranwala.
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Varinder Pal Singh Sikka, General Secretary of APS, and Gurmeet Kaur prayed at Nankana Sahib gurdwara, the birthplace of Guru Nanak. (Photo courtesy American Punjabi Society)
The APS group was provided with security and extended due protocol throughout their visit as promised by Syed Qamar Raza, Chairman of the Overseas Pakistani Foundation, when he met them in Lahore.
Gary Sikka also took an APS delegation to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce, headed by Mian Abuzar Shad, to explore business collaborations.
While most of the group returned to New York, some crossed the Wagah border by road to India to continue their pilgrimage.
Enthused by the success of the first Guru Dham Yatra and new demand, Gary Sikka, a serial restaurateur currently running Pearl Banquet and Mint restaurant on Long Island, has started planning the next pilgrimage to Pakistan later this year.
The American Punjabi Society, formed over a year ago on Long Island, held several programs in 2024, including a blood donation camp, a lung cancer awareness event, and a kabaddi sports tournament. Their next planned event is Vaisakhi in April.
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Parveen Chopra is the founding editor of ALotusInTheMud.com
