Mela Chiraghan kicks off

LAHORE: The 430th Urs of Madho Lal Hussain, also known as Mela Chiraghan (festival of lights), kicked off at the shrine of Madho Lal Hussain at Baghbanpura here on Saturday.

Minister for Religious Affairs Zaeem Qadri inaugurated the three-day event by laying a floral wreath at the shrine. He offered fateha and special prayers for the security and solidarity of the country. The religious affairs director general and officials of Auqaf Department were also present.

The three-day festivities include qawwalis, sufi music, dance on the beats of drums, widespread bonfire by lightening of thousands of earthen lamps around the shrine and a large variety of eateries. The main event of the Urs is a large bonfire at the shrine, thus, giving it the name of ‘Mela Chiraghan. People throw candles, oils and terracotta lamps into the bonefire, believing it would fulfil their wishes. The fire remains lit for the entire duration of the urs. On the first day of the urs, thousands of devotees from around the country gathered to pay tributes to the 16th century sufi saint and poet Shah Hussain and his close friend Madho Lal. The Urs festivities were dominated by malangs coming from all over the country who sang and danced to the drum beats, often intoxicated and seemingly oblivious of the surrounding. A large number of other devotees also joined them.