NAROWAL: Thousands of pilgrims attended the two-day 39th Urs of Baba Qalandar Husain Qalandar at Barha Pind Jarpal near Zafarwal that ended on Sunday night.

There is a milk well at the tomb of the spiritual personality from where the pilgrims drink milk with the belief that the milk will cure them of diseases.

The well is 30-foot deep and it is embellished with beautiful tiles. On the eve of annual Urs, followers of Qalandar Husain Qalandar start arriving at the site, bringing with them milk in large amounts. The milk is boiled and almonds, walnuts and other dried fruit are mixed in it. After the boiling process, the milk and ice are put in the well. When it gets cold, it is taken out of the well through a Persian wheel with the help of a camel. The milk is then put in a big pot and served to the pilgrims through a pipeline.

The pilgrims stand in queues and drink milk one by one. This time around, 275 maund of milk was served to the pilgrims.

One Nabi Bakhsh had come to attend the Urs from Karachi. “I have come to participate in the Urs for the prayer and for drinking the curative milk,” he said, believing that the milk would make him immune to diseases for one year.

Muhammad Tariq and Bashir Ahmad, residents of Gujranwala, said: “We bring 10 maunds of milk to the Urs every year. The pilgrims drink it and they pray and get cured”.

The pilgrims coming from far-off places carry milk home with them for their near and dear ones. Separate arrangements are made for men and women to drink milk. The pilgrims are served meal, tea, and other drinks three times a day. Most of them are seen sitting on sheets spread around the tomb. Some of them dance on the beat of drums to pay homage to their spiritual leader.

A makeshift bazaar is set up where ladies and children buy household items and toys. Swings and magic shows for children are also arranged.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2019