KASUR: Local Auqaf Department and Religious Affair Committee finalised on Friday the programme of three day celebrations of the 262nd Urs of Baba Bulleh Shah.

The Urs will begin here on Saturday (today) and conclude on Aug 26.

Devotees from various parts of the country will visit the shrine, lay chadars there invoking the blessings of the saint poet and pay tribute to the spiritual figure.

The administration will arrange lungar and sweet drinks for the devotees.

The celebrations will begin with ‘ghusal’ of the shrine by the provincial minister for auqaf.

The other celebrations include mushaira, mahafil Naat, contest of recitation of Heer Waris Shah and Kalam Bulleh Shah, qawali, speeches, thesis, articles and other modes of writings on the life and poetry of Bulleh Shah. At the mushaia, poets will present kafis and kalam of Bulleh Shah for the spiritual amusement of the participants.

These events are performed in the spacious courtyard of the shrine. Also separately, small groups would organize recitations of the poetry of Bulleh Shah and singing of Heer Waris Shah outside the shrine. The recitation of Heer Waris Shah, every year, attracts a large number of people.

On Aug 25 (Sunday), the Bulleh Shah Conference would organise its 29th programme at the Municipal Hall. It would include Mahafil-i-Mushaira with poets like Tajamal Kaleem, Prof Munawar Ghani, Sharif Anjum, Naveed Yadah, Baba Ghulam Hussain Nadeem, Fartash Syed, Wajid Ameer and Syed Fida Hussain Bukhari.

Bulleh Shah Conference would be held on Sunday after Isha prayers and would conclude before the Fajar prayer.

The Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department also arranged speech contests on the life and works of Bulleh Shah in schools and colleges. It would also arrange Mahafil-e-Sama on Monday.

On the last day, a Jaloos Godri Sharif displays the relics of the spiritual poet. The last day celebration also include Mahafil Rang that continues the whole night, singing poetry of Bulleh Shah and Heer Waris Shah.

Confectioners and other shopkeepers have started setting up their stalls on Railway Road leading to the shrine. Falooda and fish eatery points have been decorated with colourful lights.

Kasur Deputy Commissioner Azhar Hayat has announced Monday a local holiday in connection with the Urs.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2019