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.
