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Mela Chiraghan is usually a three
day festival, meant to mark the death
anniversary of Shah Hussain, the legendary
Sufi poet from Punjab and pay rich
reverence to his memories. Mela Chiraghan
festival usually takes place at the
shrine of Shah Hussain on the outskirts
of the city of Lahore in Pakistan.
Previously, it was considered to be
the most popular festival of Punjab
though of late, it has made way to
Bassant as the most high-profile festivities
in the province of Punjab, Pakistan.
Every year, approximately five hundred
thousand devoted people attend this
holy celebration of Mela Chiraghan.
Usually a three day festival at Mela
Chiraghan, devotees are known to light
the city lamps to honor the Sufi poet
Shah Hussain.On the very first day
of this festival, a public procession
is held after dusk to pay their homage
to this great saint. Once you land
up here, you are sure to be overtaken
by the sound of the drums. However,
the final day of this celebration
is entirely reserved for the females.
Every year hundreds and thousands
of females visit this holy place on
the festive occasion of Mela Chiraghan.
The festival of Mela Chiraghan begins
with celebrating Shah Hussein's birth.
Most of the devotees show their respect
to this famous Sufi poet by singing
and dancing with drum beats. The songs
that are mostly sung for this occasion
include most of Shah Hussein's qawalis
and kafis. Traditional food stalls
offering medieval food items are also
set up during this occasion. In some
cases, you may also get to see hashish
being burnt and Eunuchs dancing in
an attempt to embrace this festive
occasion. Many pilgrims are also seen
to walk toward a fire and subsequently
throw candles there. The belief behind
this act is that the more you are
close to the fire, greater are the
chances of your prayers being answered
by the almighty. However, after these
three days are over, people again
get back to their respective work
fields, and wait keenly for the next
Mela Chiraghan celebrations.
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