Maha Kumbh Nagar: Witnessing the grandeur and divinity of the Maha Kumbh, Hindu devotees from Pakistan’s Sindh province could not resist the spiritual calling. For the first time, a group of 68 devotees from Sindh arrived at the Maha Kumbh on Thursday, marking a historic moment.
The delegation, staying at Shri Gurukrishna Camp (Sector-9), expressed their deep emotions upon reaching India. Gobind Ram Makhija, a member of the group, shared his excitement:
“We always had a heartfelt desire to visit the Maha Kumbh. After hearing about it on social media, we could not stop ourselves from making this pilgrimage.”
Pakistan’s Hindu Devotees Arrive from Six Districts of Sindh
Makhija further informed that in April 2023, around 250 devotees from Pakistan had visited Prayagraj and taken a holy dip in the Ganges. This time, devotees have come from six districts of Sindh—Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Karjkot, and Jatabal. Among them, 50 are experiencing the Maha Kumbh for the first time.
“Being Born in Sanatan Dharma is a Blessing”
Mukesh, a devotee from Ghotki, expressed his gratitude:
“This is my first time in India and at the Maha Kumbh. It is an unforgettable experience, allowing us to deeply connect with our religion and culture.”
Similarly, Karishma, a homemaker from Sindh, shared her feelings:
“This is the first time I have visited India and the Maha Kumbh. Witnessing our culture in such a divine setting is an incredible experience. Although we live among Muslims in Sindh, there is not as much discrimination against Hindus as often portrayed in the media. However, seeing our traditions in such a grand manner is only possible here.”
Pakistan’s Hindu Devotees Speak on Citizenship and Visa Process
Niranjan Chawla, a devotee from Sukkur district, addressed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA):
“The situation in Sindh is not such that people are applying for Indian citizenship. However, in some regions of Pakistan, like Rajasthan, conditions for Hindus are challenging.”
He also urged the Indian government to simplify the visa process:
“Currently, visa clearance takes nearly six months. We request the Indian government to make the process easier. However, for Maha Kumbh, we received visas without much difficulty, and we are grateful for that.”
Immersion of Ashes in Haridwar
The devotees have also brought six urns containing ashes of their ancestors to immerse in the sacred waters of Haridwar. Chawla stated:
“Haridwar is the gateway to salvation. We will visit there to perform the last rites of our ancestors.”
Following their visit to Maha Kumbh, the group will leave for Raipur and then travel to Haridwar on February 8 to complete their spiritual journey.
