Noor TehseenOn this beautiful of land of Pakistan, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar is among the most respected Sufi saints. Not to mention that, millions of people visit his shrine at Sehwan Sharif, Sindh, Pakistan annually. In particularly, people visit him for his annual Urs (anniversary) celebrations. Which brings closer to a lot of people to revive his teachings. In addition, the Urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar represents unity, love, and spiritual enlightenment as much as a religious occasion. Due to this, people of many religions and cultures still find inspiration in his lessons. But to understand the value of his Urs and his ongoing spiritual legacy, let’s follow this blog’s lines. So, you may have a better view of the importance of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qaalandar Urs and his spiritual journey.
A Short Description about Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar
Lal Shahbaz Qalandar history tells us that he was born in Marwand, present-day Afghanistan. His real name is “Syed Usman Marwandi”, lived in the 12th century. However, he has always been traveling widely to convey the lessons of love, peace, and loyalty to God. In addition, he was a brilliant Sufi scholar, poet, and mystic. And he finally made his home in Sehwan, where he lived out his life preaching Sufism and aiding others. that’s why, Sehwan is now Lal Shahbaz Qalandar location for his shrine. A place where different people from different regions visit.
His Sufi title “Lal” comes from his crimson clothing. On the other hand, “Shahbaz” (royal falcon) stands for his spiritual power. Lastly, “Qalandar” shows his traveling dervish status. Due to this, his knowledge, kindness, and miracles won him great affection and respect amongst the people. To keep his great teaching alive, Sindh usually takes the Urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar public holiday every year.
The Relevance of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Urs
Every year on the 18th or 20th Sha’ban (Islamic calendar), people host Jhule Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Urs annually at his shrine in Sehwan. Regardless of religion, caste, or creed, this is a great festival that bring people closer. So, if you are willing to find Lal Shahbaz Qalandar place, then you have to hit the road for Sehwan during his Urs period. These are the days, when you can see that a sea of people is swarming to the shrine. In short, the Urs is a means of honor for followers toward his spiritual direction and teachings.
Koyal Knows All the Sufi Celebrations of Urs
Different customs reflecting the rich Sufism traditions define Jhule Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Urs celebrations. Though, if you want to experience the regional beats with the targeted regional based melodies that echoes Sufi kalams, then Koyal should be your priority platform. The below mentioned describes how people celebrate this festival on dhamals doing all these:
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Chadar Poshi (Cloth Offerings)
At the saint’s shrine, devotees present a crimson or green chadar – cloth – as a symbol of respect and loyalty.
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Dhamal (Spiritual Dancing)
The Dhamal, a spiritual dance conducted to the rhythm of drums, is among the most recognizable aspects of Hazrat Qalandar Lal Shahbaz Urs. Though, the Dhamal stands for a close relationship with God. However, it feels like a condition of trance-like allegiance. During Dhamal, people start moving to the beats of different melodies. Such as, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar poetry, qawwalis, and very dedicated kalams that speak of them.
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Qawwali and Sufi Poetries
Sufi singers chant qawwali, devotional melodies, glorifying Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Urs and the love of God. From the most lovable Lal Shahbaz Qalandar poetry to the utmost dedicated Jhule Kalams, they sing everything. There are several sufi singers and qawwalists who made a change. Such as, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, Amjad Sabri, Aziz Mian Qawwal, and even the duo of Sabri Brothers. That’s where the beat of Dama Dam Mast Qalandar rises to the top and people move to it. Thus, people recognize this kalam as one-of-the-melodies that’s sung with the deepest emotion, “Dama Dam Mast Qalandar qawwali”. They sing it all loud to honor him.
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Langar (Free Food Distribution)
Following the saint’s ideas of serving mankind, food is shared among thousands of people as a kind of charity and service. This is what people call as Langar. Free for everyone who visits his shrine.
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Lighting by Candle and Oil Lamp
Use light candles and oil lamps to represent blessings and enlightenment. This showcases that his shrine is still alive and warm. And will always be.
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Prays and Zikr, the chanting of God’s Names
People seeking spiritual direction, healing, and blessings gather in special prayers and zikr sessions. During zikr, they chant the names of Allah and use different religious naray.
These ceremonies emphasize the love, unity, and loyalty Qalandar Lal Shahbaz preached all of his life.
What His Spiritual Messages and Legacy Teaches us?
All of his vivid kalams at Koyal describes his teaching divine love, humanism, and equality. It’s also true that Jhule Lal Shahbaz Qalandar stresses Rooted in Sufism’s fundamental principles, his spiritual worldview is based on:
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Love for Our Planet
He thought in serving mankind irrespective of social level or religious background. Love everyone, hate no one, his message was straightforward.
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Loyalty to God
According to him, one must totally submit to God to discover serenity and fulfillment since real dedication comes from the heart.
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Overcoming Social Restraints
He opposed society divisions based on caste and creed. People of many backgrounds are welcome in his shrine still.
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Magical Poetry
His works address heavenly love and the path the soul travels to reach God. Thus, most of the Sufi poets still love to make Lal Shahbaz Qalandar poetry to keep him remembered in the hearts of many.
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Gifts and Miracles
Many legends about his miracles have been handed down through the years, so enhancing people’s confidence in his spiritual ability.
Why Individuals Still Travel His Road Today
The message of Qalandar Lal Shahbaz still affects people in the present era after centuries. Millions of people come to his shrine looking for healing, direction, and spiritual serenity. These are some reasons his lessons still apply today:
- Promotes Tolerance and Peace: His lessons remind us of the need of love and harmony at a period of social differences.
- Encourage Helping Others: His legacy of philanthropy and service inspires individuals to assist the less fortunate.
- Provides Spiritual Solace: Many people visit his shrine in search of inner calm and release from the demands of daily life.
- Symbol of Cultural Heritage: His Urs is a celebration of Sindh’s rich culture and Sufi customs rather than only a religious event.
How can Koyal help you make Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Urs Memorable?
Though, there are many ways by which can make Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Urs memorable. However, there are some of the ways that Koyal facilitates to make you feel the true teachings and guidelines that he provided to the world. Let’s not forget how thorough playlists we have on koyal.pk and how it can help you move with the beats of Dhamal. Some of the most impressive Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Kalams are below to fill your hearts with the devotional layers:
- Sohna Lal Sain Jeven Sadain
- Chalo Chalo Sehwan Chalo
- Dama Dam Mast Qalandar
- Dewane Jhole Lal De
- Jhulay Jhulay Lal Qalandar
- Aaya Mela Qalandar Lal Da
However, if you are willing to feel the echoing melody of Sufi kalams of Jhule Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, then you may just hit the complete playlist of our “Lal Shahbaz Qalandar” explicitly made for you.
The Final Words
The Urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar is a potent statement of love, solidarity, and spiritual dedication rather than only a religious assembly. Millions of people still find direction in his lessons on divine love, mankind, and peace. Whether via prayers, Dhamal, or qawwali, his devotees preserve his message. Remind us to welcome love, service, and harmony in our life by means of his spiritual legacy – a lighthouse of hope.
Every year as followers assemble at Sehwan Sharif, they honor not only the life of a great saint but also a timeless philosophy that cuts beyond religious and cultural divides. Those who search for truth and illumination still find the red-clad dervish, the falcon of spirituality, flying in their hearts.
Sana Hidayat
