Pakistan: 977th annual ''Urs'' celebration

Rana Sajid Hussain

Pakistani devotees (Malang) busy in their activities ahead of 977th annual ''Urs'' celebration (religious festival ) of Sufi Saint Hazrat Ali Bin Usman popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh in Lahore on October 05, 2020. During three days urs celebrations festival of Hazrat Ali Bin Usman popularly known as Data Gunj Bakhsh started with traditional zeal with 'chaddar' laying ceremony at the shrine. Millions of devotees from all over the world visit at the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh at Bhatti Gate in Lahore. Data Ganj Bakhsh was a Persian Sufi and scholar during the 11th century. He was born in Ghazni, Afghanistan (990 AD) during the Ghaznavid Empire and settled and died in Lahore spreading Islam in South Asia. During the festival the shrine is lit up with candles and lights, donated food is prepared for the people and Sufis dance and play music for hours.