Lahore, Nov.1 (ANI): Hundreds of Sikh devotees, who were waiting at the Attari railway station for hours to leave for Wagah border in order to reach Nankana Sahib in Pakistan to celebrate the 541st Birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, finally heaved a sigh of relief when two trains from Pakistan arrived at Attari on Saturday to take them to the holy place.

Following the government’s travel advisory, specially to the Sikh pilgrims, warning them against travelling to Pakistan because of the ‘deteriorating law and order situation’, the India Railways had said that it would not entertain the special trains sent from Pakistan to collect the Sikh devotees.

About 1800 pilgrims were left stranded at the Attari railway station, as there were no trains to take them to the other side of the border.

Amid all the confusion, Pakistani authorities contacted the Indian embassy in Islamabad and persuaded the officials to let the special train enter India.

It was only after an intense dialogue between the two sides that the Indian railways allowed the Pakistani train to cross the border.

“After this development, board chairman Syed Asif Hashmi approached the Indian embassy officials here and sorted out the issue finally and we sent two special trains to Attari around noon to bring the Sikhs who were protesting there for non-arrival of Pakistani trains,” The Dawn quoted Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Deputy Director (shrines) Fraz Abbas, as saying.

Pilgrims admitted that situation in Pakistan was not conducive, but said it was once in a life time opportunity to visit the holy birthplace of Guru Nanak Devji , so they do not wanted to miss the opportunity.

“Though the law and order situation in Pakistan is not ideal but since this place is very sacred for us we are not afraid of coming here,” said Jageer Singh, a member of Shurmani Gurdwara Parbhandik Committee (SGPC).

“I am lucky to get a chance to visit the place where my Guru was born. I may not get this opportunity next time. Visiting Gurdwara Janam Asthan is a dream of every Sikh in the world,” said another visitor Sorang Singh.

During their 10-day stay in Pakistan, the pilgrims would also visit Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasanabdal and Gurdwara Kartarpur, Narowal. The main function would be held on November 2 (Monday). (ANI)