Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar

Shrines, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Mystic poet

Lal Shahbaz Qalandars shrine is present in Sehwan Sharif. It is a prominent Sufi shrine in Pakistan, which attracts millions of visitors from all over the world annually. Shah Tughlaq constructed it in 1356. A major expansion of this shrine happened in 1639 by Mirza Jani. By the 20th century, it was one of the most popular shrines where people used to gather and commemorate the saint.

Renovations of the Shrine

The recent renovations of the shrine include portions fully enveloped in white marble, mirror work, and glazed tiles. The shrine has a gold-plated main door. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi gifted it. He was the Shah of Iran. The actual tomb of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar is present inside a central dome. Hundreds of diyas or oil lamps light the dome. Benazir Bhutto, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, ordered renovations of the shrine when the dome subsided in 1994.

The newly built dome was completed with 110 feet in height and 56 feet in diameter. The interior of the dome is decorated with tiles from Iran, while the outer surface is adorned with gold plated tiles from the UAE. The shrine’s dhamal courtyard was also built along with the dome. A CCTV camera was also to be installed, which had a radius of 4km outside the shrine. However, it was stolen from the local police station soon after it was delivered.

Future Renovations

The future renovations and constructions include the completion of a Sunni and Shia mosque. New lavatories, a shopping center, and an extensive resting place for travelers are also to be added as per Bhutto’s original plan.

The Suicide Attack on the Shrine

The shrine if Lal Shahbaz Qalandar suffered a deadly terrorist attack on 16 February 2017. The responsibility of the attack was claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan. The suicide attacke resulted in the deaths of 88 people including women and children. The morning that followed the attack, the shrine’s caretaker continued with the routine tasks, defiant in the face of terrorism, he rang the bell at his usual 3:30 am. The meditative ceremony of the shrine, also known as the dhamal, continued as usual.

A few days later, several Pakistani artists came to the shrine to perform and take part in dhamal as a response to the radical islamist faction. A dhamal session was organized by Sheema Kermani to honor the victims of the suicide attack one year later.

The Urs Festival of the Shrine

An annual Urs is also celebrated in the shrine to commemorate the death anniversary of lal shahbaz qalandar. It is held on the 18th of Shabaan every year. It is the 8th month of the muslim lunar calendar. The 769th urs was celebrated in the year 2021. This urs attracts more than a million pilgrims from all over the world.

Jhulelal Sangat Group

The Jhulelal sangat group is joined by visitors and performers that travel to the shrine in the form of a qafilah or a caravan.

These visitors offer tributes to the saint and ask for his intercession of their behold in return.

Mandali Group

Mandali, which is a group of folk singers, are invited from various parts of Pakistan to perform in the urs. Sindhi style wrestling, which is called Malakhro, is also presented in this urs. Cannabis consumption is common during the urs festivities. As the dhamal performers say that it helps them meditate and lose themselves.

The urs is a three day long festival where the narrow streets of sehwan are brimming with thousands of pilgrims wanting to get a glimpse of the gilded tomb and communicate with the saint. They present the mazar with flowers, garlands, and intricate chaddors as a tribute. These chaddors are long, flowy pieces of fabrics with Quranic ayats scribed in gold and silver threads. Singing, dancing, and humming of verses continues till morning. Viewing and taking part is an enriching experience for the devotees.

Dhamal: A Spiritual Ritual

It is a spiritual ritual which brings one closer to God. Large, barrel shaped drums or dholes are placed in the courtyard and on the rhythm of thes dholes the devotees dance their dhamal. Not only do people from all over Pakistan take part in this dhamal, but foreign tourists also experience and enjoy this part of divinity and spirituality.

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