SUKKUR, Nov 27: A three-day annual Urs of sufi poet Faqir Qaqir Bakhsh Bedil began at his shrine in Rohri on Tuesday.

The Sukkur district government had already declared a local holiday on Tuesday. The opening ceremony of the Urs attracted devotees from all over Sindh and from India.

The 19th century saint, Bedil, adopted a reclusive lifestyle of sufism after falling in love with Karam Chand, an episode reminiscent of the affair of Sarmad-Abhi Chand and Shah Husain-Madhoo Lal.

Bedil’s captivating poetry, particularly about Basanat, vocalised by Abida Perveen, are hugely popular among the enthusiasts of sufi music.—APP