The Urs of Shah Rukn-e-Alam gathers devotees each year at one of the most magnificent tombs in the Islamic world — the great dome that crowns the skyline of Multan.
Who Was Shah Rukn-e-Alam?
Shah Rukn-ud-Din Abul Fateh (1251–1335), known as Rukn-e-Alam (“Pillar of the World”), was the grandson of Bahauddin Zakariya and a leading saint of the Suhrawardi order. His mausoleum, built in the Tughluq architectural style with immense brick walls, timber bracing and blue faience, is regarded as a masterpiece of pre-Mughal funerary architecture and dominates the view of Multan for miles.
The Urs
The annual urs brings large crowds of pilgrims from across the Saraiki Belt and beyond for prayers, qawwali, dhamal and langar. The shrine and its urs are administered by the Auqaf & Religious Affairs Department of Punjab.
When and Where
At the Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam on the Multan Fort mound. Dates follow the Islamic lunar calendar and are announced annually by the Auqaf Department.
Explore More
See our Multan guide and South Punjab tourism page.
References
- Auqaf & Religious Affairs Department, Government of the Punjab — auqaf.punjab.gov.pk
- Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam — Wikipedia — en.wikipedia.org