Three-day Mela Chiraghan begins

LAHORE

Mela Chiraghan (the festival of lights) also known as Urs of Madho Lal Hussain kicked off here Saturday at the shrine of Madho Lal Hussain at Baghbanpura with a number of festivities including qawwalis, music, Sufi dance on the beats of drums and a variety of eateries, all around thousands of earthen lamps and bonfires that makes it the festival of lights.

A large number of devotees from around the country gathered for three-day festivities at the shrine of Madhu Lal Hussain to pay tribute to the sixteenth century Sufi saint and poet Shah Hussain and his close friend Madhu Lal. The event features a large bonfire at the shrine where people throw candles, oils and lamps (chiragh) as they believe it would fulfill their wishes. The fire remains lit for the entire duration of the urs.

The urs was formally inaugurated by Provincial Minister for Religious Affairs and Auqaf, Mian Ata Maneka who also laid a floral wreath at the shrine and offered fateha and special prayers for the security and solidarity of the country.

Religious Affairs Director General and officials of Auqaf Department were also present. The urs festivities were dominated by malangs coming from all over the country who sang and danced on the drum beats, seemingly oblivious to whatever was happening around them. A large number of devotees also joined their dance from time to time.

Another main feature of the event was a number of hashish addicts who come from far-off places to enjoy a free gift of their most sought-after item and enjoy it with other fellows.

The police seemed to ignore them thought the heavy soot of narcotics often makes devotees and visitors feel nausea and some of them also throw up.

Apart from marijuana being provided to many malangs free of cost yet, glasses of Bhang (cannabis) drinks were sold to the visitors. Many drug users consider it a three day paradise for them and the celebrations are actually meant for them. They say they only “serve the community” by providing them with momentarily relief from worries.

The security around the shrine was strict. The visitors were allowed into the shrine through a single entrance. A large number of policemen were on duty around the shrine under the supervision of two DSPs and the Civil Lines SP. The devotees passed through walk-through gates but the scanners were not working. The visitors were being frisked by police and Auqaf guards.

For children, a number of swings and merry-go-rounds were put besides traditional food items.