Sehwan thrums as Qalandar’s devotees gather for 774th Urs | The Express Tribune

The vibrant colours of festivity and devotion once again swept through Sehwan, the town that houses the revered shrine of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar (RA). From streets lined with vendors to humble homes, the spirit of the saint’s 774th urs infused the air, drawing hundreds of thousands of devotees from across Pakistan and abroad.

Dance, devotion, and trance rituals formed the heartbeat of the celebrations, while sports, literary events, and musical concerts reverberated through the town. At the centre of it all stood Qalandar’s shrine, bathed in night-time illuminations that lit up the skies. Langars offering free meals, milk, water, and soft drinks ran simultaneously across the town, welcoming Muslims and Hindus alike.

Though Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori was slated to inaugurate the three-day urs, provincial Auqaf Minister Syed Riaz Hussain Shah Shirazi performed the rite instead. “It has become essential to spread the message of Sufism to overshadow the tentacles of extremism, intolerance, and terrorism,” Shirazi said.

Authorities anticipate around three million devotees during the three-day event, surpassing last year’s attendance of 2.8 million. Nestled at the foothills of the Kirthar mountains, some 146 kilometers from Hyderabad, Sehwan’s official population is just 322,000, underscoring the extraordinary influx of pilgrims.

Read More: Qalandar’s Urs: Sehwan drenched in devotion

The celebrations feature Sugharan Jee Katchery (folk conversations), an international literary conference, agro-industrial exhibitions, Malakhro (wrestling), cattle shows, and thousands of stalls selling religious and spiritual souvenirs.

Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar (1177-1274), born in Marvand (Afghanistan) to ancestors from Baghdad and Mashhad, was a contemporary of Bahauddin Zakariya and Makhdoom Jahanian of Uch Sharif. Fluent in Persian, Turkish, Sanskrit, Arabic, and Sindhi, the saint was a philosopher, poet, and spiritual guide whose shrine continues to draw devotees from Punjab, Sindh, and even Hindu followers from India.

“The message is simple: believe in God,” said an elderly Italian visitor, overwhelmed by the massive crowd. “No threat of terrorism or other obstacles can stop us from paying respects,” added Aslam Haider, a devotee from Multan.

Also Read: Urs ends with mela, literary, cultural discourse

Security measures are unprecedented: 5,000 policemen, 300 Ranges personnel, and platoons of the Army, Navy, and Rapid Response Force are deployed. Over 320 CCTV cameras monitor the town, with an additional 200 around the shrine, while drones provide aerial surveillance to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.

As the town pulses with devotion, music, and spirituality, Sehwan stands as a testament to Pakistan’s enduring Sufi heritage – a place where faith transcends boundaries, and generations unite in celebration of peace, harmony, and reverence.