Daily Times

As the colourful festival of Baisakhi concluded at gurdwaras in Punjab, Indian Sikh pilgrims, on Sunday, set off on journeys back home.

A special train carrying 624 Sikh pilgrims left for India in the morning, which was followed by another train with 834 pilgrims on board.

Another with the remaining pilgrims were scheduled to leave later in the day.

Earlier, as many as 1,898 pilgrims had arrived in Pakistan on April 12 to participate in the annual celebrations.

During their stay, pilgrims were said to visit the religious shrines of Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib.

Lauding the arrangements for accommodation, food and transport provided for Sikh Yatrees as up to the mark, pilgrims claimed that such facilities were not even available to them in India.

They further claimed that it was heartening to receive a warm welcome by the local people, who embraced and took selfies with them.

Last Sunday, a three-day celebration of Baisakhi festival concluded at Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Hassan Abdal.

To celebrate the festival marking the beginning of the new harvest season, Sikh pilgrims visit Pakistan from across the world.