Mela Chiraghan is a major event in Lahore. It is called Festival of Lights.
The event is a three day annual festival celebrated to mark the URS (death anniversary) of Punjabi Sufi Poet & Saint Shah Hussain
The Urs is held at his shrine in Baghbanpura, adjacent to Shalimar Garden. The saint died in 1599 and is buried here along with his friend Madho Lal Hussain who converted to Islam from Hinduism.
Around half a million people from every corner of Pakistan and every religion come to attend and enjoy this colorful, cheerful and extravaganza event in Lahore.
Cultural dances are performed; dervish dances, folklore singing to the drum beats along with qawwali are the main attractions. Shah Hussain’s kafi is recited by the faqirs.
Pilgrims sit by a bonfire where by doing so they believe their prayers will be answered and others come and toss candles into the bonfire hoping that their wishes will be granted.
The devotees never let up extinguishing of this fire, a symbol of inner fire of the saint. It is kept on burning for 72 hours till the end of Urs.