The three-day religious and spiritual fair marking the 163rd Urs of Baba Bankhandi Maharaj was inaugurated on Tuesday at the historic Sadhu Bela Temple on Bandar Road in Sukkur, drawing thousands of devotees from across Pakistan. The annual event, organized by the Hindu community, is taking place amid deep devotion and religious fervor, with final rituals scheduled in the coming days.
Chief Guests and Arrangements
The Chairman and Secretary of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) are expected to attend as chief guests. Diwan Chand Chawla is overseeing the fair's arrangements. The Sukkur district administration and ETPB have made special provisions for accommodation, langar (community kitchen), security, and other facilities for pilgrims. Police and other security agencies have implemented foolproof security measures to ensure the safety of attendees.
Pilgrims from Across Pakistan
Thousands of Hindu pilgrims have arrived at Sadhu Bela from all over Sindh and other major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Quetta, Bahawalpur, Multan, Hyderabad, and Mirpurkhas. The temple, located on an island in the River Indus, is considered one of the oldest and most sacred Hindu religious sites in the subcontinent.
Religious Activities and Teachings
During the three-day event, recitations from the Bhagavad Gita, bhajans (devotional songs), pooja path (prayer rituals), havan (fire offerings), religious prayers, spiritual gatherings, and special supplications are being held. Speakers are highlighting Baba Bankhandi Maharaj's teachings of humanity, love, peace, brotherhood, tolerance, and interfaith harmony.
Historical Significance
Baba Bankhandi Maharaj established Sadhu Bela Temple as a spiritual center in the 19th century. Since then, devotees from the Hindu community have gathered there with reverence. Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims from across Pakistan visit the temple on his Urs to perform religious rites, attend Gita recitations, and offer special prayers for peace, prosperity, development, interfaith harmony, and stability in Pakistan.
Conclusion of the Fair
According to the organizers, the fair will conclude on the final day with special pooja, collective prayers, and religious ceremonies. The event underscores the rich cultural and religious diversity of Pakistan, promoting messages of unity and tolerance.
