Data Darbar

Data Darbar
داتا دربار

The shrine of Ali Hujwiri is one of Pakistan's most important Sufi shrines
Shown within Punjab, Pakistan
Shown within Punjab, Pakistan
Basic information
Location Lahore
Geographic coordinates Coordinates: 31°34′44″N 74°18′17″E / 31.57898°N 74.30474°E / 31.57898; 74.30474
Affiliation Sufi
Province Punjab
Country Pakistan Pakistan
Architectural description
Architectural type Mosque and Sufi mausoleum
Architectural style Modern
Specifications
Dome(s) 1
Minaret(s) 4

Data Darbar (also spelt Data Durbar; Urdu: داتا دربار‎), located in the city of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan[1] is one of the oldest Muslim shrines in South Asia. It houses the remains of a Sufi saint, Abul Hassan Ali Hajvery (commonly known as Daata Ganj Baksh), who is believed to have lived on the site in the 11th century CE.

Location

The shrine is located near the Bhati Gate of the Walled City of Lahore.

History

Data Darbar was originally built by the Ghaznavid king Zakiruddin Ibrahim in the late eleventh century, and has been expanded several times.

Significance

The shrine houses the tomb of Ali Hajwiri.

For centuries his tomb was visited by Muslims and non-Muslims in search of his blessings. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is a frequent visitor to the shrine.

On special occasions, the shrine is decorated with lights, dinner is prepared for hundreds of people and visitors dance while musicians play Sufi music for hours. At the boundary of the shrine, Muslim faithfuls recite the Qur'an, and pay tributes to the Prophet Muhammad.

2010 bombings

There had been rising security fears after threats by the Pakistani Taliban, and a bombing campaign against shrines by the militants, who consider Sufi shrines to be heretical. The large size of the complex, and the fact that it is open at all hours to the public, made protecting it extremely difficult.

On 1 July 2010, two suicide bombers attacked the shrine. At least 50 people were killed, and 200 others were hurt in the blasts.[2][3][4] It was the deadliest attack against a Sufi shrine in Pakistan since 2001,[3] though it was superseded by the 2016 bombing at the Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar which killed 88 people.

Access

The shrine remains open at all hours, and welcomes visitors who freely enter the complex. The shrine is served by the Data Darbar station of the Lahore Metrobus.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Google maps. "Address of Data Durbar". Google maps. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "Explosions at famous shrine in Pakistan kill dozens". CNN. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  3. 1 2 "Deadly blasts hit Sufi shrine in Lahore". BBC. 1 July 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  4. ↑ Tavernise, Sabrina (1 July 2010). "Blasts at Sufi Shrine in Pakistan Kill at Least 35". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 July 2010.
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