LAHORE – Proudly courteous malangs, intoxicated in spirituality and unbothered by any terrorist threat, yesterday celebrated the first day of the 967th annual Urs at the shrine of Hazrat Ali Hajvery, popularly known as Data Ganj Baksh.
Diversified devotees, from across the country, in their traditional style, in groups, families and as individuals, kept coming at the shrine to offer ‘Fateha’ and pay their regards, while lights and flags adorned the roads adjacent to the shrine.
Devotees said it was the test of their love for Data Sahib that they were at the darbaar despite threats, and claimed they were on a spiritual duty of their ‘murshad’. They said it was the first Urs after the suicide blast, which occurred owing to a security lapse, and this year the authorities have ensured security.
SPIRITUAL FORCES ON ALERT: A large number of malangs, along with their chailas (disciples), were seen vigilant and while celebrating the event they said they were satisfied that no untoward incident will take place as the ‘spiritual forces’ were on alert.
These malangs, dressed in multi-colored clothes, wearing rings and anklets, had set up their tents, with different colors marking their group’s identity, in an open ground near the shrine. Malangs hail from different chains of spirituals groups of ‘Tareeqat’ including Qadria, Qalandria, Chishtia, Sabria, Nizamia, Noshahia, Suhrwardia, Mehbobia, Azemia and Haidria.
The discussions and activities inside the malangs’ tents continued and they listened to the problems of devotees. Inside these tents cooking of langar (food) also continued and malangnis and chailas kept busy offering langar to their guests. Crowd gathered around the muchh (bonfire), sharing their problems with the malangs while malangnis listed carefully the words of the malangs.
Naseem, a malangni from Multan said she and her friend malangnis had come here to attend Urs, the way they attended different events across nation. She said the malang count was better this year as compared to last year, but complained that the administration disturbed the malangs in their tents in the name of security check.
AN EYE ON EVERY EVIL EYE: The malangs’ tent also sounded with discussions and debates on the last year’s blast and they condemned the government and the police, who according to them were responsible. Sain Nazir Husain, a malang, said they did not rely on the police.
He said, this year it was not the police that was controlling the security as they themselves were under a security threat instead the malangs were monitoring the matters through their ‘spiritual cameras’ and were keeping an eye on every evil eye. He assured no untoward incident will happen at the Urs.
HIGH FOR THEIR HIGHNESS: Competitions of smoking Charas and Bhang also continued, as according to the malangs it increased their devotion and love, plus best food was available to top the exotically spiritual experience. The malangs were also seen performing dhamaal and holding their mtair (sacred stick), giving instructions to their chailas to prepare Bhang and Charas and also serve the visitors.
JUST HANGING AROUND: Aslam Khan, a policeman, said the police was least concerned about the things happening in such tents. He said it was difficult to judge them, but most malangs were peaceful. He said criminals like pickpockets also sought protection in the malangs’ tents.
