Lahore – Its Mist and Its Myths

Lahore is renowned for being the city of Sufis and mystics for ages and it is called as “Daata’s city” also after the 11^th century Sufi saint Hazrat Daata Ali Bin Usman Hajviri who came here to Lahore and resided on the bank of River Ravi at the outskirts of the walled city of Lahore. From Ali Hajviri to Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and from Madho Lal Hussein to Mujaddid Alf Saani Sheikh Ahmed Serhindi, Lahore has been the seat of Sufis for ages. The Urs (anniversaries) of these Sufi mystics have now become festivals of Lahore and millions of devotees from across the country blaze Lahore every year.

The biggest of the events of the country is held in the month of Safar when the Urs of Daata Ganj Bakhsh Hazrat Ali bin Usman Hajviri is celebrated. Millions of pilgrims from across the country come to kiss the feet of the grave of the Holy Saint and there they pray and donate in the name of Allah. Holy veils from all over the country are brought by pilgrims as they dance through the cities with people putting their alms in those veils and those veils are then spread over Daata’s grave.

Another huge event is of Madho Lal Hussein’s Urs that is held every year in Shalimar Gardens of Lahore in the month of March. Thousands of lamps are lit in this festival by the devotees and an enormous fire is lit with the help of these oil-lamps. This fire symbolizes the inner fire of a Sufi and the devotees make sure that this fire does not die out until the end of the Urs. The greatest thing about this fire is that every year at the end of the three day ceremonies, a thunderstorm or a rain comes to extinguish this fire and suddenly the weather of Lahore gets pleasant.

One of the biggest events celebrated in the city, which is shared by the entire Muslim world, is the Mawlid of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.w) in the month of Rabi ul Awwal every year. The whole city is ornamented like a bride with mosques lit in green, red and yellow colors, the BRB Canal jeweled with statues and all the government buildings also lit with electric bulbs. People decorate the outers of their houses on the eve of 12^th Rabi ul Awwal.

Models of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina are made by young boys and girls, trolleys are decorated with lights, models and Nashids are played inside these trolleys. Competitions for best model, best decorated trolley and the most decorated area of the city are held and the toughest contest is between the Bhaati Gate and Islampura. Both these areas are adorned beautifully by the residents.

Lahore has so many colors and religion is one of the brightest among them. Lahore is the center of religion and culture in the country and Pakistanis take Lahore to be the heart of this country with all the veins moving towards it.

Lahore: Now and In days to come

Lahore is one of the most culturally rich cities of Pakistan. The city is second largest in Pakistan and it is the capital of province Punjab. The city is known as the cultural hub and Heart of Pakistan. The city is historically rich and the people of Lahore are very hospitable. The Lahori foods are famous all across the world for their unique taste. Even the expats love to have these foods and they are captured by inimitable taste and forced by the matchless flavor to eat the Lahori food again and again. The city was found by Prince Lava or Loh and the ancient name of Lahore was Lavapuri (The City of Lava) which transformed with time into its current name Lahore.

Lahore has seen eras of many rulers of which the Mughal era is the most prominent. The signs of Mughal rulers can still be seen in Lahore while touring the city. You can see the love of Mughals for construction through the marvels they have built in the city of Lahore. These wonders depict the luxurious past of the Mughal rulers. These construction marvels include Badshahi Mosque, Chauburji and Lahore Fort etc. which are the most beautiful places to visit if you want to assess the past of the Lahore city. The twelve gates of the city were also constructed in the same era.

The city was transformed from time to time but nowadays the city is facing one of the biggest transformation processes of all times for the betterment of trade and for the facilitation of Lahorites. The Arfa Karim I.T tour has been completed to take Pakistan’s I.T industry to new heights.  The ring road was a project to reduce the flow of traffic within the city and to provide an agile trade way to the logistics. But nowadays, several roads and bridges are under construction to provide fast accessibility to every corner of the city. The Rapid Bus Transit System has also been introduced by the Government of Punjab for the convenience of senior citizens, students and middle class salaried persons. The government has also introduced a separate Bus-service for the females which is also appreciated by the working women and students of the country.

The Visa agreement between Pakistan and India is also a positive step taken by the government of Pakistan. It will increase the trade between both the countries and the market expansion will increase competition for the industries of both Pakistan and India. The quality will be increased and production volume will also expand which will provide a high amount of profit to our traders and industrialists. It will help in flourishing the manufacturing and services industries in both the countries.  The hospitality industry will also flourish in Lahore and the scope of rental properties will also widen that will provide immense benefits to the Lahore real estate rentals. The tourism will also expand and the social impact on the people of both countries will allow the people of India and Pakistan to come closer.