Mela Chiraghan 2015 Lahore

Mela Chiraghan (Festival of Lights) also known as Mela Shalamar  or Mela Shala Mar Ka begins last Saturday of month of March. The Event is celebrated in the memories of Punjabi Sufi Saint and Poet Shah Shussain also known as Madhu Lal Hussain.

Venue of Mela Chiraghan:

Mela Chiraghan is celebrated on the tomb of Sufi Poet Madhu Lal Hussain Shah in Baghbanpura near Shalamar Gardens Lahore. The site is close to G.T Road Lahore near UET (University of Engineering & Technology). Previously, the event was held in Shalamar Gardens, however President Ayub Khan ordered to shift the celebration place out of gardens to save the beauty of gardens.

Dates to Consider:

The followers and devotees of Shah Hussain are very keen to participate in the event to pay tribute to their beloved Sufi saint.

Biggest Festival in Punjab:

Mela Shalamar or Mela Chiraghan is used to be largest Festival in Pakistani Punjab, but the current Festival of Basant has pushed the Mela Chiraghan at 2^nd spot. Horse & Cattle Show is third largest Festival in Punjab.

Attraction for Visitors:

Mela Chiraghan Lamps Fire by FunMobileZone Mela Chiraghan (Festival of Lights) attracts the people across the Punjab Pakistan. People gathered to tribute the famous Sufi Poet Madhu Lal Hussain Shah. The attractions for visitors include the ritual and mystic dance. Large Fire during the three days of Urs is also one of the attractions for visitors.

Things Followers do on Shrine:

The visitors approach shrine on the beat of drums and dancing (Dhamal) in local style. The followers of Madhu Lal Hussain Shah pay tribute to him by covering his grave with a shawl. These shawls are printed with Arabic words (Daroode-e-Ibrahimi, Ayat-e-Karima of Holly Quran). The man in charge of Tomb welcomes the visitors by flowers. The followers kiss the grave and say their prayers. Those who have capacity distribute food items including rice, sweet candies and others.

People enjoy marijuana and hashish during the Urs, while the bad thing is that the adductors enjoy the same in the presence of Police.

Malangs at Shrine:

Further, the Dhool (drum beaters) men beat the drums in local style and dance for a long time. Malangs in their traditional style wearing different stones, malas, and dresses also attract full. Use of beagles by Malangs are really interesting one.

Traditional Lahori Foods:

Madhu LAL Shrine Food Items by FunMobileZone
The Food Stalls include Qatlama (a long fried bread), Andrasay (sweet brown balls) and Jalebi (sweetmeats).

Marijuana and other Attractions:

The local reseller of marijuana offers the drink for 10 (10 cents) per cup, while hashish and opium is also available right under the nose of police.

Fortune Stones:

You can find ring seller, these rings (aqeeq-e-sulemani, zamurd, neelam stone) are associated with fortune as people wear them for betterment in life and for better future. Further people print the name of their spiritual leaders, i.e. Muhammad, Ali, and other Sufi Saints.

Faith:

The candles and fire are associated with the faith of visitors and followers as they believe that this will fulfill their wishes.