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Updated 15 Nov, 2016 08:35pm

Spiritual colours of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai

Mohammad Hussain Khan

The 273rd urs celebrations of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai kicked off on Monday evening and are currently underway. Syed Waqar Hussain Shah, the 12th Sajjada Nashin of the shrine, hosted the first 'Shah Latif Alami Tasawuf Conference' in the shrine's courtyard on Monday evening.

Thousands visited the shrine to pay their respects to the Sufi saint and several took part in 'dhamal' (spiritual dance) after sunset on the Islamic month of Safar 13, that marks the commencement of the urs. The shrine was built by Kalhoro rulers of Sindh, Ghulam Shah Kalhoro. It is under administrative control of Sindh Auqaf department.

Men, women, children and elderly sit on ground. They chat, eat and sleep in the shrine's courtyard where they would stay for next three days.

Men, women, children and elderly sit on ground. They chat, eat and sleep in the shrine's courtyard where they would stay for next three days.

Dhamal starts when a 50 something Dargaee Faqir, beats the drums, kept in opposite direction, with alacrity after sunset.

Shopkeepers selling local sweets, dry fruits adorn their shops with colourful buntings.

Shopkeepers selling local sweets, pots and dolls adorn their shops with colourful buntings.

The shrine is beautifully decorated and lit.

Distribution of 'lungar' (food) among devotees.

Devotees enter shrine while reciting mystic poetry of great sufi saint.

Saint's faqirs who are dressed in black sit on semi circle formation and use the long instrument called 'dhambora' to recite Bhitai's poetry which is called 'wai'.

Saint's faqirs use the long instrument called 'dhambora' to recite Bhitai's poetry.

— All photos are taken by Yasir Rajput.

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