Shalimar Gardens to host Mela Chiraghan
The Punjab government is set to revive the historic Mela Chiraghan at Shalimar Gardens after a 67-year hiatus, in a move to celebrate and preserve the province's rich Sufi and cultural heritage.
Organised by the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA), the four-day festival will run from Friday to April 14.
Events will be organised at both the Shalimar Gardens and the shrine of the 16th-century Sufi Madhu Lal Hussain.
Acting on directives from the chief minister, the festival aims to offer families a secure and spiritually enriching experience, while promoting Punjab's traditional values and public culture.
Daytime programming will include academic lectures, panel discussions on Sufi poet Shah Hussain's teachings, recitations of his Kafis and Punjabi poetry sessions.
Evening events will feature Sufi qawwali performances, Heer recitals, traditional food stalls and a local handicrafts bazaar.
The historic ritual during which devotees light candles and oil lamps as part of a spiritual practice will also be revived.
"Mela Chiraghan is a symbol of Lahore's cultural identity, and its revival reflects our commitment to preserving our heritage," said WCLA Director General Kamran Lashari.
"This festival not only honours the legacy of Shah Hussain but also promotes inclusivity, creativity and traditional arts.
We invite everyone to reconnect with our roots and celebrate the spirit of Lahore."
Mela Chiraghan, once one of the most prominent cultural and spiritual gatherings in Punjab, is expected to draw large crowds and serve as a platform to foster peace, harmony, and communal unity.
Security measures and public facilities have been arranged for the visitors.
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