Lahore Declares Public Holiday for Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh’s Urs on August 26

In a significant cultural and religious observance, the Punjab government has declared a public holiday in Lahore on Monday, August 26, 2024. This holiday is in honor of the 981st Annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh, one of the most revered Sufi saints in the Islamic world. The announcement was made by the Services and General Administration Department (Welfare Wing) to facilitate the local population in participating in the Urs celebrations.

The Urs, a traditional Sufi observance marking the death anniversary of a saint, will take place at the Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh shrine in Lahore from August 24 to 26. The celebrations include various spiritual and community activities such as Quran recitations, religious lectures, and the distribution of food (langar) to devotees. The Auqaf Department of Punjab has allocated approximately Rs. 13.5 million for organizing these events. They have also implemented comprehensive security measures to ensure the safety of thousands of attendees. This includes the installation of 144 CCTV cameras around the shrine and the setup of 18 LCD screens to monitor the area.

Public offices, schools, and colleges across Lahore will remain closed on August 26. However, key government operations, such as those conducted by the Punjab Civil Secretariat and its affiliated departments, will continue as usual. This exception ensures that essential administrative functions remain uninterrupted even as the city observes this important religious holiday.

The Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for many Muslims in Lahore and beyond. Hazrat Ali Hujwiri, known as Data Ganj Bakhsh, was a Persian Sufi saint whose teachings have had a profound impact on Sufi traditions and Islamic spirituality. His shrine, located in the heart of Lahore, attracts millions of pilgrims annually, making it one of the most visited spiritual sites in Pakistan. The Urs is not only a religious event but also a time for communal gathering, reflection, and charity, as pilgrims come together to seek blessings and spiritual solace​(The Nation, The Opinion).

The declaration of a public holiday underlines the importance of the Urs in preserving cultural and religious heritage. It also provides an opportunity for the community to come together in celebration and remembrance. As Lahore prepares to host thousands of visitors, authorities are working diligently to ensure that the event runs smoothly, prioritizing both the safety and spiritual experience of the attendees.