The World They Lived In

TP Correspondent, "People throng to pay homage to Waris Shah" - The Post - Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Saturday, July 26, 2008

Jandiala Sher Khan: On the third and last day of the annual Urs celebrations of great Sufi Poet and Saint Pir Waris Shah, thousands of devotees including children and women thronged the shrine to pay their homage to the saint.

Waris Shah was born in Jandiala Sher Khan, Sheikhupura in 1719 or 1730.

After completing his education in Kasur, he moved to Malka Hans where he lived in a small room adjacent to a historic mosque, constructed in 1340.

The room is still there, though devoid of any furniture or articles that could be related to Waris Shah in attempts to commemorate his being. The only sign remains a rather crudely written plaque with sketchy details about the poet.

A man of greet wisdom, understanding and experience, Waris had delved deep into his characters while, except for the famous Heer and Ranjha, he had penned down satirical sketches, through whom he showed the people the reality of the world they lived in.

[Picture from APNA (Academy of the Punjab in North America): http://www.apnaorg.com/].