A large number of Pakistani Hindus hailing from the Sindh province on Tuesday, began their trek to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi to pay their obeisance, official sources said in Jammu.
The Hindu pilgrims from Pakistan numbering 52 had reached Katra, the base camp to the holy shrine, on the night of April 6 and 7 and were accommodated at Trikuta Bhawan where adequate arrangements had been made to provide them security, they said.
After having darshan and performing pooja at the cave shrine, the visiting guests from Pakistan will have a night stay at the Bhawan and will return to Katra tomorrow, the sources said, adding, they will then proceed to other shrines in the country.
The Pakistanis, mostly hailing from Jakababad and Kashmor districts of Sindh province, had entered India via Wagah border on April 5 on a 15-day visa, they said.
They will also be visiting Amritsar and Haridwar during their 15-day stay in the country.
This is for the first time that Pakistani pilgrims in such a large number have visited the the holy cave shrine since the constitution of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) in 1986, they said.
{{/usCountry}}This is for the first time that Pakistani pilgrims in such a large number have visited the the holy cave shrine since the constitution of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) in 1986, they said.
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