The Tomb of Shah Jamal () is the tomb of Sufi Saint Baba Shah Jamal. It is located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It can be located opposite Forman Christian (FC) College, near Muslim Town. There is a mosque built around the tomb which incorporates a graveyard.

Traditions

At the foot of the stairs leading up to the tomb, there is a regular gathering of pilgrims, who come every Thursday night and Friday morning, following a tradition that has been going on for hundreds of years. Dhol is played with devotees (dervish or fakir) dancing in a trance also known as dhamaal. The drummer Pappu Sain was the central attraction and performed on the dhol.

This performance, every Thursday night/ Friday morning, is attended by people from all walks of life—students, government officials, musicians both domestic and international, models, common folk. It is encouraged that people wear simple, plain clothes and come covered, out of respect for the shrine.

Annual urs festival

The annual urs festival is conducted every year on the 3rd, 4th and 5th days of the Islamic month of Rabi' al-Thani. In 2006, 300,000 people attended the 366th annual URS (anniversary celebrations) of Shah Jamal (1588-1649).

The present custodian (Sajjada Nasheen) is Dr Pir Syed Ali Hussain Shah Naqvi.

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File:Shah Jamal Grave.JPG|The grave of Baba Shah Jamal

File:Shah Jamal Carnival (3).JPG|Oil lamps are burnt during the annual urs festival

File:Shah Jamal Carnival (5).JPG|The shrine is decorated for the annual urs festival

File:Shah Jamal Carnival (4).JPG|

File:Shah Jamal Mosque.JPG|The shrine complex includes a small mosque

File:Shah Jamal Carnival (6).JPG|Amulets at the shrine

File:Shah Jamal Shrine.JPG|Compound of Shah Jamal Shrine which is part of the mosque.

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References

  • Gonga Saeen & Mithu Saeen beats the drum for Baba Shah Jamal, Photo by Yasuo Osakabe, Photographer, Yasuo Oaskabe