29/04/2019
Shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Hajveri
Hajveri is a name of a small town of the city of Ghazni that is in today’s Afghanistan. It was then Ghaznavi empire where he was born somewhere between 400 AH and 406 (1009-1072/77AD estimated) exact date of birth is not known. The region’s main language was and even today is Persian and naturally his poetry and writings are in Persian Language. He is also known as Data Ganj Bakhsh that literally means (someone who bestows the treasures), as a matter of fact the local people are more familiar with the name of Data Ganj Bakhsh than the original name. Lahore’s second name is ‘Data ki Nagri or Nagri Data Dhi’ that means the place where Data lives and the phrase is commonly used to highlight the character of Lahore city where nobody sleep hunger. Once a job seeker reached Lahore and asked a job from Lahori and then in responding to that query he was told to go to Data Darbar, have langar (food) there and on the way back bring for myself as well and that is the job for you. Because of his generosity towards the less privileged, now hundreds of the devotees and followers come every day and distribute food among the needy ones, especially when their desire is fulfilled after praying at the shrine. A hospital, several institutions and other organizations carry the name of Data Ganj Bakhsh and extend charity work for the needy over the years. Hordes of devotees gather here on Thursday afternoons to listen to the excellent Qawwali that has been a vital tool for Sufis to preach Islam in the sub-continent. The Urs (death anniversary) of Data Ganj Bakhsh Hajveri is held at this shrine on 18-20 Safar (March/April) and is attended by tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of devotees and the followers.
He is direct descendant of Prophet’s family and the chain goes back to eighth generation, after Karbala conflict the family spread into the surrounding countries. He also composed a book with the name of ‘Kashf-al-Mahjub’ (unveiling of the Hidden) that became very popular in those days and is even now. This is considered the first formal book on Sufism in Persian and played significant role to the spread of Islam in South Asia and particularly in the sub-continent. Hazrat Ali Hajveri spent considerable time in Baghdad, Nishapur and Damascus where he received training in the Hanafi Fiqa (Basic Law of Islam) under well-known teachers. Eventually he settled in Lahore where he died with the reputation of renowned preacher, teacher and a Sufi Saint.
His Miracles:
There was a Hindu Juggler named ‘Rai Raju’ who used to get milk from the cows and buffalos and if the milk seller would not give to Rai Raju then the blood came from the ni***es of the cattle. Once an old lady was taking milk to Rai Raju and on the way Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh called the lady and asked her to give him milk and I would pay for it. The lady replied that we have to give milk to Rai Raju otherwise our cattle fell ill. Hazrat told the lady that if you give me the milk then your cattle would give more milk than before and the lady gave milk to Hazrat Ali hajvery. When the lady came back home and saw the animals full of milk and all pots were full and even the milk was not stopped. When this miracle spread into the masses then people started offering milk to Data Ji. He became furious when he came to know about it and came to Data Sahib and asked him show me any miracle if you have, then Data Sahib told him that I am not a juggler and just ordinary person but you can show if you have, and due to jugglery he started flying in the air. When Data Sahib saw it, he also threw his shoes in the air and the shoes also started along with him. As result he was impressed by his miracle and later on converted to Islam and became his disciple. He was given name ‘Ahmad’ and as title Sheikh-ul-Hind and the same family is until now the caretaker of this shrine.
How to get there:
There is Metro service running right in front of the shrine with a special stop of Data Darbar and one pay the nominal fare for this ride on Metro. The shrine is located in front of Bhatti Gate (old city) and the area is quite busy, so it is not advisable to take own car there because of traffic congestion.
Visiting Hours:
As it is not a routine tourist place, so there are no fix timings to visit but it is better to visit during the day time.
