Thousands of devotees have gathered at the Data Darbar shrine in Lahore to observe the 983rd [1] annual Urs of Sufi saint Data Ganj Bakhsh.
The event marks the death anniversary of Ali Hujwiri, a figure of immense spiritual importance in Pakistan. The gathering serves as a focal point for regional Sufi traditions and collective prayer.
The religious observance is a three-day [3] event that features the traditional chadar-poshi ceremony. During this ritual, devotees place ceremonial cloths over the grave of the saint as a mark of respect and devotion.
Reports on the exact commencement of the festivities vary. Some sources said the event began on Sunday, Aug. 2, while the Business Recorder said it started on Saturday [2]. Despite the variation in start dates, thousands [1] of pilgrims have converged on the shrine to participate in the rituals.
To accommodate the scale of the pilgrimage, the government of Punjab has declared a local holiday for Aug. 4, 2026 [4]. This measure allows devotees and local residents to participate in the final stages of the commemoration without the conflict of professional obligations.
The Urs of Data Ganj Bakhsh remains one of the most significant spiritual dates on the calendar in Lahore. The shrine continues to operate as a center for those seeking spiritual guidance and communal peace during the anniversary period.
“Thousands of devotees have gathered at the Data Darbar shrine in Lahore”
The continued scale of the Urs highlights the enduring influence of Sufism in Pakistan's social and religious fabric. By declaring a public holiday, the state acknowledges the event's role not only as a religious rite but as a significant cultural mobilization that impacts the city's infrastructure and economy.
