Saturday was declared a holiday on Friday in the Lahore district to celebrate the urs of Madhu Lal Hussain.
The Punjab Civil Secretariat, its attached departments and regional offices, however, will remain open.
The urs of Madhu Lal Hussain, otherwise known as Mela Chiraghan (festival of lights), will begin today (Saturday).
The celebrations attract a number of devotees from around the province. A large number of malangs can also be seen paying tribute to Madhu Lal Hussain by dancing.
PHOTO: ABID NAWAZ/EXPRESS
The mela chiraghan gets its name from the large fire, alao, at the shrine where people throw candles, oils and light mud lamps (chiragh) after making wishes. The fire remains lit till the conclusion of the urs. For the first two days, the urs is open to both men and women but on the third and last day, only women are allowed to participate in the celebrations.
According to the Police Department, the visitors will use a single entrance. Seven reserves (140 police personnel) have been demanded by the local police to ensure security, which will be supervised by a DSP and three SHOs. Civil Lines SP Dr Farrukh told The Express Tribune that the visitors will be checked at three points before they are allowed to enter the shrine.
The Auqaf Department and the city district government said they were installing a partition wall so people could move in a single file. Arrangements have also been made to ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity. The Auqaf Department will also distribute free food (langar) among the devotees.
A number of food stalls had been set up along the GT Road by Friday evening.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th, 2013.