Pakistan cuts short religious tour of 37 Kutchi pilgrims, sends them back

Amid political tensions between India and Pakistan after the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, Pakistan has deported 37 people from Kutch who were on a religious pilgrimage to Makli near the city of Thatta, in the Pakistani province of Sindh.

A group of 37 members from the Maheshwari community of Kutch district had organised a one-month pilgrimage to various shrines in Makli Thatta, Tharai, Saini, and other places in Pakistan. Although they had reached Pakistan ten days ago, they are now being forced to return to Kutch within just 10 days.

The group departed from Kutch on April 16 to visit these four shrines over the course of a month. The Pakistani government issued an order requiring Indian citizens to leave the country within 48 hours. As a result, the group had to return to Kutch by Monday. 

Speaking about the situation, Jagdishbhai Maheshwari shared, “For the first time, Pakistan had granted permission for a group of 37 people to undertake this pilgrimage. A ceremonial send-off was organised at Gandhidham before the pilgrims departed for Pakistan. Initially, permission had been granted to start the pilgrimage on the occasion of Akhatrij (Akshay Tritiya). However, due to the Pahalgam incident, Pakistan revoked the earlier approval, forcing the pilgrims to complete their ‘Khadiya Yatra’ (pilgrimage) within just three days.”

There are shrines of Maheshvari Meghwar Saints in Sindh located in Makli Thatta, Tharai, Saini, and other places in Pakistan. The pilgrims had started their journey on April 16 from Gandhidham via Wagah Border, reaching Karachi, where they were welcomed at the Maheshwari Samajwadi Centre.

In Kutch, the Maheshwari community places great significance on religious sites like Chandhrua Dham in Lakhond, Raydhanpar, Matiya Dev Temple in Gudthar, Lunang Dev Temple in Luni, Baghthada Dham in Anjar.

Similarly, in Sindh province of Pakistan, the community reveres four major shrines: Lunang Dev’s Swadham in Tharai, Dhani Matang Dev Swadham in Saini, Matiya Dev Swadham in Bhadra Haji Sawan, and Mamai Dev Swadham in Makli Thatta.

Given the large Maheshwari population in Karachi and surrounding areas, devotees from Kutch and Gujarat often visit these shrines.

Also read:

MEA advises avoiding travel to Pakistan, calls for Indian citizens in Pakistan to return