LAHORE, July 25: The 206th Urs of renowned Punjabi poet Waris Shah concluded on Sunday at Jandiala Sher Khan, some 40km away from the city.
The well-attended three-day festivities, which the district Nazim termed the biggest gathering in the province, included almost all shades of Punjabi culture and entertainment: theatre, circus, horse dances, kabadi and poetry recital.
Most of the devotees attending the Urs termed Waris Shah a source of their spiritual strength. "He is a scholar-saint, and his timeless poetry proves the point," said a woman.
His poetry carried a very strong religious content for those who could appreciate it and that was how he qualified to be a saint. All saints in Pakistan had a following, and so did Waris Shah; there was nothing wrong with it, she maintained.
Another devotee, who had huge bells hanging around his neck, said that Waris Shah's poetry included all Quranic teaching. God revealed the Quran in Arabic and people like Waris Shah translated the spirit of the holy book in local languages. He was not a simple poet, but a saint.
He might not have been a Pir in the traditional sense of the word all his life. In fact it was the rediscovery of Waris Shah that granted him the status of a Pir with a massive following, he said.
Another 80-year old visitor claimed that all his prayers were answered at the shrine. "I have been visiting the shrine for the last 10 years and have seen my fortunes take a turn for the better. Is it not proof of Waris Shah's sainthood."
Outside the Waris Shah Complex, a radius of two kilometres wore a festive look with all kinds of activities hallmark of such events. Vendors had occupied the main road leading to the complex. At a playground nearby, a kabadi tournament was going on which was followed by horse dances.
Addressing the gathering at sport ground, District Nazim Tawakal Virk said that the Urs had already become the biggest such event in the province and promised to make it even bigger next year.
"We are trying to arrange a big industrial and agriculture exhibition next year," he said while talking to Dawn. Despite being the main occupation of the locals, agriculture unfortunately had been very backward in every sense of the word.
An industrial and agriculture exhibition should provide thousands of visitors an opportunity to look at modern gadgets. He also said that the district government, along with the Punjab Arts Council, was planning to construct a permanent facility for artistes where they could perform around the year.
Waris Shah was a big name with regard to the Punjabi language and culture. His poetry inspired many artists and they must be given a chance to fully exploit the potential of his teachings and poetry, he said. The local government also plans to upgrade the library in the Waris Shah Complex where research could be carried out on the language and the poet.
