New Delhi, October 18: As the 549th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev is around the corner, devotees have started approaching Sikh organisations for undertaking a pilgrimage to the birthplace of their first Guru at Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. According to a report Published in The Times of India, Sikh Jathas (group of pilgrims) will leave for Pakistan on November 21. These jathas will return on November 30. The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak will be celebrated at Gurdwara Nanakana Sahib on November 23.

President of Bhai Mardana Kirtan Darbar Society Harpal Singh Bhullar told TOI, “He had also written to the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) to honour the sentiments of Sikhs and take up the issue with the Pakistan government for issuance of liberal visas.” Till now over 700 devotees have already submitted their passports to the society. Kartarpur Corridor Row: Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh Asks Centre to 'Engage With Pakistan' For Resolving Issue

Meanwhile, chief of Sikh body Nankana Sahib Sikh Teerath Yatree Jatha Swaran Singh Gill told the media house that over 4,000 passports had already been submitted by various Sikh bodies for visa with the Pakistan high commission in New Delhi. The maximum number of 3000 pilgrims are allowed to visit Nankana Sahib for attending the celebrations. According to the report, a year-long celebrations of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak will begin cutting the 200-pound cake by the Sikh body in Pakistan. A nagar Kirtan will also be taken out on the streets of Nankana Sahib.

Meanwhile, Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu claimed that he was told by Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa that they "want to open up Kartarpur corridor through Indian border for Guru Nanak's 550th birth anniversary". Sidhu met the Pakistan Army chief during his visit to Islamabad to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Imran Khan. The Centre, however, said that Pakistan is yet to officially communicate on the issue. Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib is situated in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab province. The gurdwara is nearly four kilometres from the international border and is visible on a clear day from Dera Baba Nanak in India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 18, 2018 10:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).