Basant in Lahore, Pakistan

Lahore is an extremely festive city. This city is the most 

happening city of Pakistan. The people of Lahore celebrate

 many festivals and events throughout the year, blending 

Mughal, Western, and current trends. Eid ul-Fitr and 

Eid ul-Adha are celebrated. 

Many people decorate their houses and light 

candles to illuminate the streets and houses; 

roads and businesses are lit for days during these public 

holidays. In Lahore is located the mausoleum of Ali Hujwiri

 also known as also known as Data Ganj Bakhsh 

(Persian/Urdu: داتا گنج بخش) or Data Sahib and an annual Urs 

is held every year as a big festival.

Basant is a Punjabi festival marking the coming of spring. 

Basant celebrations in Pakistan are centered in Lahore, an

d people from all over the country as well as abroad come to 

the city for the annual festivities. Kite-flying competitions

 traditionally take place on city rooftops during Basant. 

Courts have banned the kite-flying because of casualties and

 power installation losses. The ban was lifted for two days in 

2007, then immediately reimposed when 11 people were

 killed by celebratory gunfire, sharpened kite-strings, 

electrocution, and falls related to the competition.

The Festival of Lamps, or Mela Chiraghan, is an important 

and popular event in Lahore. This is celebrated at the same 

time as Basant, every spring on the last Friday of March, 

outside the Shalimar Gardens.