KASUR: Hundreds of devotees of saint Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, alias Hazrat Daud Bandgi, left village Bahrwa of Pattoki in Kasur for Shergarh in district Okara to attend the three-day the 446th urs on Thursday.

The caravan stayed for two days in the Phoolnagar area. Every year, devotees from various parts of the country arrive in Okara barefooted to pay homage to the saint.

The district administration in 2017 forcibly closed down the event in the name of security. On Wednesday, the tehsil administration imposed a Rs600 tax on each vendor around the venue.

Locals residents welcome these hundreds of devotees every year, serve and allow them to stay in their houses and deras as a mark of respect, hospitality and generosity.

Carrying flags, these devotees arrive at the shrine in Okara after passing through Narowal, Phoolnagar, Bahrwal and Sahjowal.

Villagers, including Muhammad Javid, Nasarullah, and Shabaz Khan, said that the devotees cover the distance on foot while scores of vendors, including toy-sellers, confectioners and entertainment providers, welcome the caravan at each staying place.

The caravan has a significance presence of women too. Noreen Bibi, Saima Bibi and Hameeda Bibi are also part of this journey. They said that locals as well as the devotees knot threads, pouches of money and garlands with the flags carried by devotees to seek the blessings of the saint for the fulfillment of their desires. Dhamal at the beat of drums is also a hallmark of the event.

Devotees arrived in Phoolnagar on Tuesday. After a one-day stay at Dera Shier Bahadar, their next stop was village Bahrwal on Wednesday and Okara on Thursday.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2020