LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — Drumming, dancing, and bright lights. Pakistan’s centuries-old tradition of honoring Sufi saints comes alive during annual festivals known as Urs.
In the eastern city of Lahore, as many as one million people pour into a shrine complex that is the final resting place of Hazrat Ali Hajveri, known as Data Ganj Bakhsh or simply Data Sahib, for a three-day celebration of his life.
Processions arrive in Lahore from across Pakistan, with devotees reciting Quranic verses and offering ceremonial cloths at Ali Hajveri’s grave. Some perform a dhamaal — a ritual dance accompanied by drumming. They spin around until they enter a trance-like state.
Devotees pass walk through gate at a checkpoint as they arrive to attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees pass walk through gate at a checkpoint as they arrive to attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees look at a performer balancing clay pot with an iron structure on his head as they attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar, Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees look at a performer balancing clay pot with an iron structure on his head as they attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar, Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
A spiritual path devotee locally called ‘Malang’ ties ‘Ghungroo’, a set of small metallic bells strung together, on his feet for performing a devotional dance called ‘Dhamaal’ during celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
A spiritual path devotee locally called ‘Malang’ ties ‘Ghungroo’, a set of small metallic bells strung together, on his feet for performing a devotional dance called ‘Dhamaal’ during celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Youngsters with others look to a spiritual path devotee locally called ‘Malang’ performing a devotional dance called ‘Dhamaal’ during the celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Youngsters with others look to a spiritual path devotee locally called ‘Malang’ performing a devotional dance called ‘Dhamaal’ during the celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Ali Hajveri, a mystic and scholar, was born in Ghazni, Afghanistan, in 990. He traveled through Iran, Iraq, and Syria to meet the leading Sufi masters of his era and stayed in Lahore until he died in 1077. He is the city’s patron saint. The shrine, Data Darbar, is already a landmark and one of the busiest Sufi pilgrimage sites in South Asia. But it transforms into a hub of faith, fraternity, and culture during Urs. A langar, or community kitchen, dishes out free meals around the clock to worshippers. Devotional singing, or qawwali, adds to the festive feel.
Devotees arrive with ceremonial cloth locally called ‘chaddar’ painted with ‘Quranic recitations’ which they place over the saint’s grave during celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees arrive with ceremonial cloth locally called ‘chaddar’ painted with ‘Quranic recitations’ which they place over the saint’s grave during celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees carry a big turban and bundle of garland as they arrive to attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees carry a big turban and bundle of garland as they arrive to attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees lay garland and ceremonial cloth locally called ‘chaddar’ on the shrine of mystic and scholar, Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh during celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees lay garland and ceremonial cloth locally called ‘chaddar’ on the shrine of mystic and scholar, Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh during celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
“We have been coming here since my childhood, almost 40 years,” said Hussain Jilani, 57. “We feel spiritually fulfilled whenever we come. Data Sahib is a source of blessings. Whatever task we have gets resolved with his grace.” Saleem Tayyab, 63, is also a regular. “Our pockets have never been empty, and our hearts never without peace,” he said. “Whoever comes here takes blessings with him.”
Volunteers pack food for devotees attending celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Volunteers pack food for devotees attending celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees jostle to get free food as they attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar, Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees jostle to get free food as they attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar, Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees jostle to get free sweets as they attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar, Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees jostle to get free sweets as they attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar, Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees drink milk at a stall as they attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar, Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees drink milk at a stall as they attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar, Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar, Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar, Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees touch the shrine’s lattice as an act of faithfulness during celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees touch the shrine’s lattice as an act of faithfulness during celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
A group of singers perform ‘Qawwali’, a form of Sufi devotional music, during the celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
A group of singers perform ‘Qawwali’, a form of Sufi devotional music, during the celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees light clay-lamp during celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees light clay-lamp during celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees eat food during celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar, Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees eat food during celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar, Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees offer evening prayers at a mosque in the shrine of saint Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh as they attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees offer evening prayers at a mosque in the shrine of saint Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh as they attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Devotees attend celebrations of the three-day annual festival or ‘Urs’ of mystic and scholar Hazrat Ali Hajveri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh at his shrine, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
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