Urs celebrations: ‘Bahishti Darwaza’ opens for devotees at Farid’s shrine

Bahishti Darwaza opens on Muharram 5 every year and closes on Muharram 10 after Fajar prayer

PAKPATTAN: The 775th Urs celebrations of Sufi saint Baba Farid Uddin Ganj Shakar are in full swing after Dewan Modood Masood Chishti, the custodian of the shrine, opened Bahishti Darwaza (the door of paradise) for the devotees on Tuesday night.

Thousands of devotees gathered at the shrine of Baba Farid in Pakpattan from different parts of the country to pay homage to the great Sufi saint. On the occasion, Chishti prayed for peace and prosperity of whole Islamic world and elimination of terrorism from Pakistan. Bahishti Darwaza opens on Muharram 5 every year. On the first night, more than 150,000 people passed through the door. According to an estimate, approximately 800,000 people pass through this famous door in five nights. More than two million people from the length and breadth of the country participate in the 15-day event held at the shrine. The door would be closed on 10th of Muharram after Fajar prayer.

District Police Officer Ismaeel Kharak said strict security plan has been finalised for the Urs of Baba Fareed Ganj Shakar. He said CCTV cameras have been installed from Nageena Chowk to General Bus stand on all important routes leading towards the shrine. “A control room has also been set up in the shrine to monitor the security situation. Temporary barricades and walls have been erected on the entrance and exit routes of the shrine,” he added.

Police and rangers have been put on high alert to ensure peace during the event. Additional police force from nearby districts has been called to cooperate and augment the local police.

DPO Ismaeel Kharak said search operations were being conducted by police and intelligence departments in the surroundings of the shrine. More than 2,500 police personnel are deployed for the security of devotees, he added.

Deputy Commissioner Irfan Ahmad Sindhoo told The Express Tribune that heavy traffic was banned in the city till the conclusion of Urs. He said all the government and private educational institutes would remain closed till Muharram 10 and the army contingents were on standby.

PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi along with district president Mian Ahmad Raza Khan Manika also visited the shrine and held prayers for the safety and security of the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2017.