Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai's annual Urs begins at Bhitshah

BHITSHAH: Annual celebrations of the Urs of Sufi saint Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai begin at shrine town of Bhitshah under strict security measures from Wednesday, ARY News reported.

Provincial Adviser Fayaz Ali Butt today inaugurated annual Urs celebrations of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai by laying floral wreath at Mazar.

After opening the Urs ceremonies, the chief minister’s aide distributed clothes among poor women in Bhitshah.

The government of Sindh has announced public holiday in the province on 14th Safar (September 22nd-today). However, the provincial government has postponed official ceremonies of the Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Urs owing to coronavirus pandemic.

The government has taken stringent measures for the security of Urs celebrations. The police department has deployed over 600 policemen, 15 SHOs and five DSPs for security at Bhitshah.

A large number of devotees have thronged in Bhitshah near Hala- the centre of traditional Sindhi handicrafts, for the Urs celebrations.

The Urs begins every year on 14th Safar and lasts for three days. The three-day ceremony of the Urs begin with poetry recital, literary conference, and other cultural activities.

The Sindh government relaxed Covid restrictions in the province from September 16 (Thursday), including allowing shrines to open at the discretion of concerned divisional and district administrations.

Last year all official Urs celebrations were canceled and only award distribution ceremony was held at H.T. Sorley Hall.

Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai ( 1689 to 1752) was a great poet and Sufi saint. He is widely considered to be the greatest poet of the Sindhi language. His collected poetry was compiled in “Shah Jo Risalo”, which exists in numerous versions and has been translated into English, Urdu, and several other languages.