Shrine of Shah Abdul Lateef Bhitai, Sindh, Pakistan

Shrine of Shah Abdul Lateef Bhitai, Sindh, Pakistan
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

Date: 11th February, 2009.

We are standing atop an incomplete hotel. This hotel, whatever its name, was where we had stayed for the night. And this is the vision from its roof. I could see the birds flying around, turning over and over again the central, Main dome of the revered tomb of Sufi poet of Sindhi language, Sain Shah Abdul Lateef Bhittai. He is arguably the most quoted Sufi Saint in Sindh. And people from Seraiki belt, which formerly used to part of Sindh province, visit here in their huge numbers, drinking chai and partaking of hasheesh. So much so that amidst Sufi music, played beautifully by ancient looking men (more of them later) the atmosphere is simply mysterious. The smoke obscuring the features of the musicians, the listeners deep in their thought. Most of the audience cannot understand this beautiful poetry - even many Sindhis cannot, but that does not mean any lack of interest. I highly recommend Thursday night at this Shrine. The poetry and the music is remarkable in its beauty of diction, atmosphere and the historical surroundings. Don't you ever forget your voice recorders, like I did!

Baluchistan Diary - Day 7 / Tomb of Hazrat Mulla Khan (RA), Ziarat

Tomb of Hazrat Mulla Khan (RA), Ziarat
Originally uploaded by Ameer Hamza

At the end of our trekking trip on Day 7 of our Baluchistan expedition, we reached the Mazar of Hazrat Baba Kharwari (RA). As per his wishes, one must first visit the Tomb of Mulla Khan, his relative before visiting Baba's Mazar. Hence, I did the same and paid my homage to this Saint first.