Lahore, December 5: Over 200 Indian Hindus arrived here Wednesday to attend festivities in connection with the 310th birth anniversary of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shada Ram Sahib at Mirpur Mathelo in Pakistan's southern Sindh province.

Evacuee Trust Property Board chairman Tariq Wazir greeted the pilgrims at the Wagah Border. "The Pakistani embassy had issued visas to 219 Indian Hindus, of them 206 arrived in Lahore on Wednesday," ETPB spokesperson Amir Hashmi told PTI. He said this time more Indian Hindus have come compared to the last year to take part in the festival to be held in Sukkur in Sindh between December 5 and 16. Pakistan Continues to Use Taliban as Hedge Against India: US Commander.

Hashmi further said all arrangement regarding the transportation and security of the pilgrims have been made. "The yatrees have left by train for Mirpur Mathlu where the main event will be held on Thursday," Hashmi said.

Talking to the media at the Wagah border, the Indian pilgrims' leader Yaudhshatar Lala said: "We have brought the message of love. We want cordial relations between the two countries. We are happy to see our temples protected here."

Shadani Darbar Tirth, a 300-year old temple in Sukkur, is a sacred place for Hindus. It is said that the foundation of the temple was laid in 1786 by Sant Shada Ram Sahib, who was born in Lahore in 1708. In November, over 3,800 Indian Sikhs visited Pakistan to attend festivities in connection with the 549th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.