Urs celebrations: Three-day Mela Chiraghan opens

LAHORE:

The 428th urs of Shah Hussain, popularly known as Madhu Lal Hussain, kicked off on Saturday.

The three-day event was inaugurated by Minister for Auqaf Mian Atta Muhammad Maneka. The minister changed the sheet covering the tomb. The event was attended by scores of devotees from various parts of the province.

A series of events, including a mehfil-i-samaa, a mehfil-i-naat and meetings among religious scholars, were held on the first day of the festival. Noted scholars shed light on the teachings of the Sufi poet and prayed for peace and prosperity in the country.

Devotees laid floral wreaths at the graves of Shah Hussain and Madho Lal. They also lit candles and distributed food, milk and water. Meanwhile, a number of dancing malangs kept the crowds entertained.

A bonfire was also ignited next to the shrine. The fire will remain lit till the closing of the urs.

Dozens of food stalls have been set up at the Grand Trunk Road and the surrounding areas. The City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) and the police had made special security arrangements for the urs.

Operations SSP Liaqat Malik told newsmen that over 500 police officials had been deployed for the Mela.

“The policemen are monitoring the event round-the-clock under the supervision of an SP. All entrances to the area have been cordoned off with razor wires and barricades. Walkthrough gates have been installed at the main entrance and metal detectors have been installed to check visitors,” he said.

He said the police was monitoring the shrine and surrounding areas with CCTV cameras.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2016.