A group of 154 Hindu pilgrims strated on a journey from Amritsar to the Katas Raj Mahadev Temple in Pakistan to mark the occasion of Mahashivratri.
However, the pilgrimage has been marred by last-minute visa cancellations, leading to disappointment among several devotees and renewed appeals for an increase in pilgrimage quotas.
Lalita Aggarwal, one of the pilgrims, remarked, "The 'Jatha' is leaving for the Katas Raj Mahadev Temple in Pakistan on the occasion of Mahashivratri. We visit the temple once a year to offer prayers."
Pandit Ripu Kant Goswami, another pilgrim, expressed his enthusiasm for the journey, highlighting the significance of the holy Amar Kund.
"The 'Jatha' is heading for the Katas Raj Mahadev Temple in Pakistan. We will take a holy dip in 'Amar Kund' on the occasion of Mahashivratri. As Mahakumbh is happening in India, we will take a holy dip in Amar Kund by God's grace," Goswami said.
Goswami further noted that although the pilgrimage pact allows for 200 visitors, visa rejections often limit the numbers.
"Since the beginning, our pact has allowed 200 visitors, but every time, 10-20 visas get cancelled. There are numerous temples in Pakistan beyond Katas Raj, including those in Jhelum and the ancient Mata Hinglaj Mandir. We need more pilgrimage visas to visit these sites," he said.
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An elderly devotee, who has visited Katas Raj four times before, urged the authorities to facilitate greater access for Hindu pilgrims.
"Pilgrims from Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu are travelling for the pilgrimage. However, 72 people were scheduled to go, but visas for 34 were cancelled by Pakistani authorities at the last moment, causing great disappointment. While conditions at the temple have improved, more arrangements are needed. We also need a Maitri Dharamshala in Lahore, similar to the facilities available in Nepal," she said.
Another devotee from Jharkhand, who had planned to plant Rudraksha and sandalwood trees at the temple, expressed his frustration over his visa cancellation.
"We only learned about the visa rejection upon arrival, and it has left us deeply disappointed. Meeting our deity is a source of immense joy, but these last-minute decisions create significant hardships. The government must ensure that all devotees receive their visas or, at the very least, provide advance notice to prevent such inconveniences," he said.
The Katas Raj Temples, a historic and sacred site for Hindus, consist of a group of seven temples known as Satgraha.
They encircle the Katas pond, which is believed to have been created from Lord Shiva's teardrop following the death of his consort Sati. According to legend, the Pandavas also spent a portion of their exile at this location.
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