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Garam
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Punjab
Fairs and Festivals The
culture of Punjab derives its basis from the
institution of sufi saints. The sufi saints
spread Islam and preached and lived the Muslim
way of life. People have the funs and
festivities to commemorate these
traditions. The
fairs and festivals of Punjab reflect the entire
gamut of its folk life and cultural traditions.
These mainly fall in three categories consisting
of (i) religious & seasonal fairs/festivals,
(ii) devotional fairs or Urs and (iii)
industrial and commercial
fairs. Religious
fairs are held on special days of Islamic
significance like Muharram, Eid Milad-un-Nabi,
Eid-ul-Fithr, Eid-ul-Azha and Shab-e-Brat. The
main activities on these special occasions are
confined to congregational prayers and rituals.
Melas are also held to mark these
occasions. The
fairs held at the shrines of Sufi saints are
called Urs. They generally mark the death
anniversary of the saint. On these occasions
devotees assemble in large numbers and pay
homage to the memory of the saint. Soul
inspiring music is played and devotees dance in
ecstasy. The music on these occasions is
essentially folk and appealing. It forms a part
of the folk music through mystic messages. The
most important Urs are: Urs of Data Ganj Bukhsh
at Lahore, Urs of Hazrat Mian Mir at Lahore, Urs
of Baba Farid Ganj Shakar at Pakpattan, Urs of
Hazrat Bahaudin Zakria at Multan, Urs of Sakhi
Sarwar Sultan at Dera Ghazi Khan, Urs of Shah
Hussain at Lahore, Urs of Hazrat Bullehe Shah at
Kasur and Urs of Hazrat Imam Bari (Bari Shah
Latif) at Rawalpindi-Islamabad. A
big fair is organized at Jandiala Sher Khan in
district Sheikhupura on the Mausoleum of Syed
Waris Shah who is the most loved Sufi poet of
Punjab due to his work known as Heer Ranjha.
Exhibitions and Annual Horse Shows in all Districts and National Horse and Cattle Show at Lahore are held with the official patronage. National Horse and Cattle Show at Lahore is the biggest festival where sports, exhibitions, and livestock competitions are held. It not only encourages and patronizes agricultural products and livestock through the exhibitions of agricultural products and cattle but is also a colorful documentary on the rich cultural heritage of the Province with its strong rural roots.
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