Mela Chiraghan kicks off tomorrow

LAHORE:

The 427th urs celebrations of Hazrat Shah Hussain kick off on Saturday. Thousands of people from across the country are expected to participate in the three-day event. Auqaf and Religious Affairs Minister Atta Muhammad Manika will inaugurate the celebrations with chaddor poshi at the shrine near Shalamar Gardens.

The Auqaf Department has completed all arrangements in this regard, an official said. Floral wreaths will be laid at the graves of Shah Hussain and Madhu Lal and prayers will be offered. The department has also made arrangements to provide food to visitors.

The third day of the urs will be reserved for women only.  Lighting earthen lamps and candles are a prominent feature of the urs, popularly known Mela Chiraghan.  First-aid camps will be set up and Rescue-1122 teams and police will be deployed to cope with any emergencies. Traffic police will make arrangements to ensure smooth flow of traffic on roads leading to the shrine.

Walkthrough gates will be installed at all entry and exit points to the shrine.  Makeshift food and toys stalls have been set up on streets near the shrine, a department official said.  An official of the city government said a local holiday would observed on the opening day of the urs.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2015.