Pakistan Welcomes Hindu Pilgrims for Maha Shivratri Celebrations at Shri Katas Raj Temple

Amidst the spirit of religious harmony, over 100 Hindu pilgrims from India arrive in Lahore city to celebrate Maha Shivratri at Pakistan’s sacred Shri Katas Raj temples.

A group of 109 Hindu pilgrims from India arrived in Lahore through the Wagah border to attend the religious festivities at the Shri Katas Raj temples, located in Pakistan’s Punjab province. This visit, which marks the celebration of Maha Shivratri, has been arranged with the special directives from Pakistan’s Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).

The pilgrims, who hail from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Rajasthan, were greeted warmly at the Wagah border by officials from the ETPB, including Additional Secretary (Shrines) Saifullah Khokhar, Deputy Secretary Umar Javed Awan, and members of the Pakistan Hindu Mandir Management Committee, along with local Hindu leaders. The group, led by Trilok Chand and Raghu Kant, expressed their gratitude for the hospitality extended to them during their stay.

Speaking to reporters, Raghu Kant, one of the pilgrims, shared his fondness for Pakistan, mentioning, “I have visited Pakistan before, and every time I come here, I feel immense happiness. We are treated with great respect and hospitality.” The pilgrims then traveled to Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, where they will stay overnight before continuing their journey to the historic Katas Raj temple.

On February 26, the pilgrims will perform the Maha Shivratri rituals at the Katas Raj temple, one of the most revered religious sites for Hindus in Pakistan. The following day, February 27, they will return to Lahore from Chakwal, with plans to depart for India on March 2.

Pakistan has long made special arrangements for the upkeep and preservation of religious sites significant to various faiths, including Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians. The Katas Raj temple, located in Chakwal, and the Sadhu Bela temple in Sukkur are two of the most visited sites by Hindu pilgrims, underscoring the nation’s commitment to ensuring the safety and accessibility of these holy places.

This pilgrimage highlights the ongoing efforts to foster religious unity and respect, allowing people from different backgrounds to partake in spiritual practices and celebrate shared cultural heritage.