Bahishti Darwaza open for public

An estimated 0.8 million people pass through the door during five nights

PAKPATTAN: With the 776th Urs celebrations of Sufi saint Baba Fariduddin Ganj Shakar underway, the custodian of the shrine Deewan Modood Masood Chishti Farooq, opened Bahishti Darwaza for devotees.

Hundreds of devotees from all across the country were present on the occasion. The custodian distributed sweets and sea shells, while special prayers for the safety, stability and prosperity of the country were held.

Every year, during the 15-day-long celebrations, Bahishti Darwaza is open to the public from Muharram 5 to Muharram 10. During the first night, approximately 0.1 million people pass through the gate. In five nights, an estimated 0.8 million will pass through the gate.

More than 2.5 million people participate in the 15-day Urs celebrations. Devotees believe that after passing through the door, one’s sins are washed away. Others claim that it is a good omen for the coming year and that one’s prayers are accepted if one passes through the door.



On Muharram 10, the shrine will be washed with rose water and Bahishti Darwaza will be closed down for another year.

Pakpattan DPO Maria Mehmood said that strict security arrangements have been made in order to protect citizens. Over 100 CCTV cameras have been set up and connected to a central control room inside the shrine, while temporary barricades and walls have been put up on all entrance and exit routes inside the shrine.

Additional force from nearby districts has been called in to cooperate with local police, Mehmood added. She also assured visitors and locals that regular facilities would function uninterrupted.



DPO Pakpattan directed civil authorities to stay vigilant while scrutinising outsiders. She directed the district administration to contact the police immediately if they found an individual involved in suspicious activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2018.