The Lahore district administration has officially declared a public holiday on Tuesday, August 4, in observance of the annual Urs of the revered Sufi saint Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh. This holiday will be applicable throughout the Lahore district, allowing residents to participate in the spiritual commemorations and festivities associated with this significant event.
In a notable development, Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar inaugurated the 983rd annual Urs of Hazrat Ali Hajveri, widely known as Data Ganj Bakhsh, on Sunday. The inauguration ceremony included the traditional chadar-laying ritual and the opening of the milk Sabeel at Data Darbar, the saint’s shrine. These ceremonies mark the beginning of a three-day period of religious observances that attract thousands of devotees each year.
Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh was a prominent Persian Sufi and scholar of the 11th century, born in Ghazni, Afghanistan, in 990 AD during the era of the Ghaznavid Empire. He later settled in Lahore, where he passed away, leaving a lasting legacy of spiritual teachings centered on brotherhood and Sufism. His shrine, Data Darbar, is recognized as the largest Sufi shrine in South Asia and serves as a focal point for spiritual gatherings and celebrations.
Every year, hundreds of devotees, including religious scholars and Sufi practitioners, converge at Data Darbar to honor the saint’s memory during the Urs. The event not only commemorates his contributions to Sufism but also reinforces the cultural and spiritual heritage of the region, drawing people from diverse backgrounds to partake in the rituals and communal harmony fostered by this historic occasion.
