August 23, 2008	Saturday	Sha'aban 20, 1429

DADU, Aug 22: The rite of Mehndi or rasm-i-henna was held on the second day of the Urs of Sufi saint Qalandar Lal Shahbaz in Sehwan as thousands of jubilant devotees throng the small town chanting slogans--“Shaki Laal Qalandar Must”, “Jholay Laal Qalandar Must” and went into a trance on Friday.

The eccentric rite of Mehndi started when people moved out in a procession from the Kafi (dervishes’ abode) of Lal Daswading towards the shrine of Qalandar Lal Shahbaz.

A large number of devotees, including women and children, without any discrimination of caste, sect and religion participated in this event.

A Hindu woman, Ms Shanti Kumari, said she was attending this Mehndi since last 20 years. She said her wishes got fulfilled as she attended the Mehndi.

A Muslim woman, Ms Fatima, who came from Sibbi with her family, said that it was her desire to attend the ritual of henna. She said it was her tenth year in Sehwan.

Many different kinds of rituals were being observed during the Urs as different followers of Qalandar were celebrating the three-day event according to their own traditions and beliefs.

The Mehndi, the mourning procession and becoming a disciple or Mureed are the three most important features the three-day event.The most interesting one is the becoming of a Mureed. This ritual is organised by the ‘Sipahis’or soldiers of the Bodlo Bahar, a disciple of the Qalandar. The shrine of Bodlo Bahar is located close to the shrine of Qalandar Lal Shahbaz on its western side.

Outside the shrine of Bodlo Bahar in a ceremony, young men cut their long flowing locks marking their entry into the fold of the dervishes.

After shaving off their head and eyebrows, the disciples, clad in red robes, danced on the beat of Dhamaal.

At the shrine of Bodlo Bahar, a disciple, Azhar Hussain, said he was following the path of Bodlo Bahar and had become his soldier, and from now on whatever his senior faqirs (spiritual leaders) say he would follow that.

It is a lesson for new disciples that they have to end all relations with people and have to live as a soldier of Bodlo Bahar.

Grand Faqir Akram Khan said that Azhar Hussain had now become a Faqir of Qalandar Lal Shahbaz and his relations with other people had ended. “For them [family] he is dead now and this is his new birth.”

He was given a new name and that was Noor Ali.

Several groups of pilgrims organised the Mehndi at different spots.

At one place, folk musicians, banging drums and playing harmonium, took out a small Mehndi parade from their houses singing Sufi songs. The henna was placed on a golden tray and a red dupatta was held atop by an old lady. The ritual was organised by Hindu devotees of the saint.

On the other hand, groups of mourners visited the shrine throughout the day and night, adding a sombre twist to the whole proceedings.

They held the mourning inside the shrine where young bare-chested men hit daggers on their backs remembering sacrifices of the martyrs of Karbala.

Emotions ran high inside the tomb and the atmosphere was ecstatic as many eyes were filled with tears and lips with prayers for loved ones.

The famous sport of Malakhro, a form of traditional wrestling, was held at stadium where contestants from all over the country participated.

Sugharan-ji-Katchehry (session of recital of oral poetry) was held at Shahbaz Auditorium on Thursday night which was attended by hundreds of Sughars from all over Sindh.