TAXILA: Hustle and bustle was witnessed at Gurdwara Punja Sahib on Friday morning as Sikh as well as Hindu devotees from across the country and various parts of the country poured into the temple to celebrate their religious feast.

Much jubilation and enthusiasm was seen on the last day of the festival as the gurdwara was jam packed with Hindu and Sikh pilgrims wearing colourful dresses. Following Bhog, the pilgrims performed Keerthan for purification which is followed by Ardaas or prayer.

10,000 Sikh devotees collectively chanted slogans like ‘Wahe Guru Ji Ki Khalsa’, ‘Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh’ and ‘Jo Bole So Nihal’ to commemorate the formation of Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.

This marked the formal end of the festival and sweets were distributed among pilgrims. According to the Britannica Encyclopedia, with 25 million followers’ worldwide, Sikhism is the sixth most practiced religion of the world.

Addressing the Bhog ceremony as chief guest, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Habib Ur Rehman said that the board is taking all possible measures for renovation, upgradation and protection of worship places of minorities in Pakistan.

He said development works are going on rapidly in temples and gurdwaras across the country, adding that pilgrims from India must inform people there about the treatment they receive in Pakistan. He said a digital library and museum was being established in Nankana Sahib to highlight the historical heritage of worship places of minorities.

He further said that the birthplace of Sikh leader Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Gujranwala will be renovated.

“The number of scholarships for Hindu and Sikh students named after Baba Guru Nanak have been increased from 50 to 100 and this number will be increased further,” he added.