In April 1979, my friend and I received special permission from the Executive Magistrate to join a jatha heading to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan for Baisakhi. Overjoyed at the prospect of visiting the sacred birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev and interacting with Pakistani nationals, we set off with great enthusiasm.
The Journey to Nankana Sahib
Upon arriving in the town, we hurried from the railway station and boarded a local bus, determined to secure accommodation. Rooms at the Gurdwara were limited, and we felt fortunate to obtain one for ourselves.
An Act of Sewa
Soon after, a senior couple from Chandigarh approached us, politely requesting to share the room. We happily agreed. Later that evening, another elderly couple arrived, looking exhausted from their journey. Out of respect and a spirit of sewa, we offered them our room and willingly moved to the open-air garden adjacent to the Gurdwara.
A Night Under the Stars
The night held a quiet magic. Dim streetlights and flickering gas lamps cast an ethereal glow over the premises. As the town settled into silence, we lay under the vast sky. Sometime after midnight, I woke up and looked upward. What I saw left me spellbound. Layer upon layer of stars filled the heavens, some bright and sparkling, others faint and delicate, and beyond them, a hazy mist of countless dimmer stars merging into an infinite expanse. It felt as though the entire universe had unfolded before my eyes.
Understanding the Phenomenon
Years later, I realized that I had witnessed the Milky Way, possibly under exceptionally clear skies far from pollution. But no scientific explanation could ever match the sheer wonder and spiritual awe I felt that night in Nankana Sahib. That simple act of giving up our room had led me to experience one of the most profound and unforgettable moments of my life.
Narinder Banwait, Chandigarh
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