Mela Chiragan: The Festival of Lights

The story goes that Madho Lal [a Hindu Brahmin] and Shah Hussain [a Muslim Sufi] were great friends and to immortalize the friendship between the two, Shah Hussain decided to call himself Madho Lal Hussain. Outside the walls of the Shalamar Gardens in Lahore, there is held an annual festival at the time of spring harvest called "Mela Chiraghan" or the Festival of Lights, close to the grave of Lal Hussain in Bhaganpura. In the songs of the village minstrels and the dancers' movements, the myth of Lal Hussain once again is reborn. perform A section of the shrine was occupied by malangs from various parts of the country. Most of them were dressed up in black and red gowns. The attendants believed that the fire was lit to pay respect to Madhu Lal Hussain. Not only the malangs but a lot of families visit the mela to pay their respect to Madhu Lal Hussain and to create awareness amongst their children. Mela Chiragan is held in Chet, the first month of the indigenous calendar, the harbinger of spring that creates the delightful ambiance of regeneration and evokes the joyful noises of Shah Hussains dance and song. A number of food stalls were set up on GT Road and close to Madhu Lal Hussains shrine. Swings, a merry-go-round, a Ferris wheel, a swing boat ride and a trampoline were installed around the shrine for children. The well of death is another source of attraction for the visitors, where stunts are executed on motorcycles. Mela Chiragan got its name from the large fire, at the shrine where people throw candles, oils and mud lamps (charagh) after making wishes. The fire remains lit till the conclusion of the ceremony. The urs continues around the clock, with women mostly there during the day and the men at night. People travelled great distances to get to the festival, some waving red flags bearing Quranic verses. A side of the shrine was occupied by malangs wearing traditional black dhotis and anklets and dancing the dhamal to drum beats. Performers include the famous Gunga Sain, his brother Mithu Sain. Their performance is inspired by Sufism and Madhu Lal Hussain. Also the presence of Lala who matches the dhol walay by his spiritual dancing ability makes the crowd euphoric. People gathered in groups to discuss the contribution of the Sufis in spreading Islam and for naat khawani. The Auqaf Department distributed a langar (free food) to the devotees. The event has attracted a number of marijuana and hashish addicts who go around smoking the narcotics right under the noses of police. Many drug users said the three days were for celebrations and that taking drugs during these days was okay. Bhang (cannabis) drinks were sold for Rs10 to Rs20 a glass. Some stalls also offered the drink free of cost.