Jatha leaves for Pakistan Temples

Amritsar : A 52-member Hindu jatha, led by the present incumbent of Shadani Darbar, Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Yudhishtir Lal, today crossed over to Pakistan to pay obeisance at various temples situated in the Sindh province. During its 10-day visit, the jatha will visit Hayat Pitafi, Jarwar Mathelo, Adalpur, Khanpur Maher, Ghotki, Sukkur Deharki, Mirpur Mathelo and Lahore before returning to their native country on January 3. Talking to TNS, Yudhishtir Lal said the jatha was organised to mark the 302th birth anniversary of Sant Shadaram, the founder of Shadani Darbar sect. Some of the devotees were upset due to the denial of visa to several persons. However, playing down the issue, Yudhister Lal said the remaining would be granted visa within a couple of days while some of them could not reach Amritsar due to cold weather. “This is not a big issue. The remaining devotees will get visa within a couple of days,” he claimed. He added that due to disturbed conditions in Pakistan, people refrained from visiting there. It is learnt that nearly 80 persons had applied for visa, of which 52 persons were granted the same. Surinder Billa, president of the All-India Hindu Shiv Sena, urged the Pakistan and Indian Governments to issue visa to devotees liberally irrespective of their religious faiths as per the protocol between both governments.