Lahore Marks 982nd Urs of Hazrat Data Ali Hajveri with Public Holiday on August 15
Lahore has begun three days of spiritual celebrations to mark the 982nd annual Urs of the revered Sufi saint Hazrat Data Ali Hajveri (RA), attracting devotees from across Pakistan. The commemorations, which run from August 13 to 15, are being held under strict security measures.
Urs Celebrations Begin Under Tight Security
Known as Data Ki Nagri for its deep association with the saint, Lahore is home to Hazrat Ali bin Usman Hajveri, popularly called Data Sahib (RA). Arriving from Afghanistan nearly a millennium ago, he settled near Bhati Gate and became a guiding figure in the spread of Islam in the region. His celebrated work, Kashf-ul-Mahjub, remains a cornerstone of Sufi literature.
This year’s Urs programme features Qirat and Naat recitations, spiritual gatherings, and Sama performances. Traditional langar (free food) and milk stalls have been set up for visitors, while streets surrounding the shrine are lined with shops selling sweets and religious memorabilia.
DIG Operations Faisal Kamran personally inspected security arrangements, directing further reinforcement at entry and exit points. Several approach roads to the shrine, including those from Town Hall, Bilal Ganj, and Karbala Gamay Shah, have been sealed with containers and barbed wire. However, access remains open for pedestrians and motorcyclists.
Public Holiday Declared for August 15
In connection with the Urs, the Punjab government has declared a public holiday in Lahore on August 15. The holiday applies to departments such as the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL), Lahore Development Authority (LDA), Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (TEPA), Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), Walled City of Lahore Authority, Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA), and Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) zones.
A formal notification confirms that the Civil Secretariat and its subordinate offices will remain open despite the holiday for other listed departments.
The Urs of Hazrat Data Ali Hajveri remains one of Lahore’s most significant religious events, blending centuries-old traditions with the city’s spiritual identity.