KASUR: A large number of devotees flocked to the shrine of Sufi poet Baba Bulleh Shah on the opening of his 265th Urs celebrations on Friday.

The celebrations started after a ceremonial bathing of the shrine and chaddar poshi. Minister retired Col Sardar Hashim Dogar, along with representatives of the district administration including Deputy Commissioner Fiaz Ahmed Mohal and District Police Officer Sohaib Ashraf, and members of religious affairs committee gave bath to the grave with rosewater.

The devotees also covered the sepulchre with chaddar and offered fateha. The spacious courtyard of the shrine remained crowded with people who had come from various parts of the country. Qawali, recitation of Heer Waris Shah and Bulleh Shah’s kalam in and outside the shrine attracted people.

A devotee, Iqra Bibi, said she found solace and peace of mind after visiting the shrine.

Muhammad Latif said he loved to listen to the mystic poetry of Bulleh Shah, which is a source of spiritual uplift.

Perveen Bibi said she had come from Multan to invoke the blessings of the Sufi poet. She said she had tied a thread with the window of the shrine as a ritual.

The Auqaf department, district administration and traders set up stalls of free food, milk and water for the devotees.

At Bulleh Shah Conference, singers including Saien Zahoor Ahmed enthralled the people with recitals.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2022