LAHORE: As many as 102 Hindu pilgrims on Saturday arrived in Lahore through Wagah border to participate in Shivratri festival being held from March 7 at Katas Raj temple in Chakwal district.

Received warmly by senior officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board headed by its chairman Siddiqul Farooq, the pilgrims were looking very enthusiastic and happy.

They said they wanted good relations between India and Pakistan.

`It`s very pleasant feeling.

We all have brought a message of peace, love and harmony,` pilgrims` leader Satesh Kumar said while talking to the media at Wagah border.

While entering Pakistan through Wagah border on foot, the pilgrims raised slogans supporting Pakistan-India friendship and sports contests.

`We want that both India and Pakistan teams should play cricket frequently with each other. And there should be no hindrance from anyone,` Mr Kumar said. He thanked the Pakistan authorities for giving them a warm welcome.

Speaking on the occasion, ETPB Chairman Siddiqu1 Farooq said the Pakistan government wanted to promote religious tourism.

`That is why we have entered into an agreement with the Walled City of Lahore Authority under which it (WCLA) will facilitate the Hindu and Sikh pilgrims in visiting dozens of historical places inside the Walled City,` he said, adding the ETPB would also take the pilgrims to various parts of the Walled City.

He assured the pilgrims of easing visa regime by taking up the matter with the authorities concerned.

Later, the ETPB brought all the pilgrims to the Dera Sahib,nearLahore Fort.

According to officials, the pilgrims will have a night stay in Lahore. `After a night stay, they will proceed for Katas Raj on Sunday (today) afternoon. On Monday (tomorrow), they will participate in the main ceremony of Shivratri festival,` ETPB spokesman Amir Hashmi told Dawn. He said on March 8 the pilgrims would return to Lahore. Here, they would visit Krishna Mandir on Ravi Road, besides visiting a number of places in the Walled City. They might also visit some major markets of Lahore for shopping purposes, the spokesman added.