About Us

Sufism in Punjab is a living, breathing tradition, deeply embedded in the social and cultural fabric of the region. Unlike the ascetic, individualized mysticism often associated with Western spirituality, Sufism in Punjab is a communal practice, rooted in shared rituals, music, and embodied devotion. Sufi shrines and orders offer a decentralized and inclusive approach to spirituality, accommodating diverse interpretations of faith, community, and authority.

This study, conducted by Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) under PRISM at Tampere University, uses visual ethnography to explore the intersection of gender, spiritual authority, and folk Islam, capturing the ‘mystical cocktail’ of shrine culture that words alone cannot convey.

Through photography and documentary filmmaking, we document the sensory, physical, and performative aspects of Sufi devotion—offering a visual and narrative account of shrine culture, dhamaal (ecstatic dance), and women’s spiritual agency.

Project Objectives

This project aims to: 

Document Sacred Spaces

Capture the historical, architectural, and cultural significance of six major shrines in Pakistan.

Explore the role of shrines as spaces of pilgrimage, prayer, and social interaction.

Understand the impact of urbanization and modernization on these sacred sites.

Examine Music and Devotional Practices

Analyze the function of Qawwali, dhikr, and dhamaal in fostering collective spiritual ecstasy.

Investigate the symbolism of rhythm, melody, and poetry in Sufi devotion.

Explore the transmission of musical knowledge within mystical lineages.

Study Gender and Mysticism

Highlight the role of women in Sufi traditions, including their participation in rituals.

Examine gendered restrictions on shrine access and how women navigate spiritual spaces.

Investigate women’s devotional poetry and songs dedicated to Sufi saints.

Contextualize Mysticism in a Postcolonial Framework

Analyze how colonial histories have shaped contemporary mystical practices.

Investigate the decentering of religious authority through mystical experiences.

Understand how modernity, migration, and digital media are reshaping Sufi traditions.

Methodology

This study integrates: 

Ethnographic fieldwork

Observations at Sufi shrines across Punjab. 

Historical analysis

Examining the evolution of shrine culture and colonial disruptions

Oral tradition documentation

Recording stories, prayers, and poetry recited at shrines.

Visual ethnography

Using photography and film to capture the motion, sound, and rhythm of devotion.

Slide 1
ATTARI & SHAH JAMAL SHRINE

The Shah Jamal shrine in Lahore, dedicated to Hazrat Baba Shah Jamal (d. 1671) of the Qadiriyya order, is a vibrant center of ecstatic devotion, renowned for its powerful dhamaal rituals, where mystics, musicians, and devotees gather for spiritual ecstasy to the pounding beats of the dhol. Similarly, the Attari shrine, tied to Hazrat Baba Fariduddin’s lineage, holds deep spiritual and historical significance, blending agrarian spirituality with Sufi mysticism. Located near the Wagah-Attari border, it symbolizes Punjab’s shared spiritual heritage across geopolitical divides, attracting farmers, traders, and faqirs seeking blessings and guidance.

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Slide 2
MADHO LAL HUSSAIN SHRINE

The Madho Lal Hussain shrine in Lahore is one of the most unique Sufi shrines in South Asia, commemorating both Shah Hussain (1538–1599), a revered Sufi poet-saint, and his Hindu disciple, Madho Lal. This shrine represents Punjab’s deeply syncretic spiritual culture, where the boundaries of faith, devotion, and identity dissolve into a shared mystical tradition.

The annual Urs festival at Madho Lal Hussain is an extravagant celebration of music, dance, and devotion, transforming the shrine into a vibrant spiritual carnival.

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Slide 3
MIAN MIR SHRINE

The Mian Mir shrine, dedicated to Hazrat Mian Mir (1550–1635), is a significant site of interfaith spirituality, known for its historic connections to Sikhism. Mian Mir, a Sufi saint of the Qadiriyya order, was invited by Guru Arjan, the fifth Sikh Guru, to lay the foundation stone of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Unlike the ecstatic celebrations at other Sufi shrines, Mian Mir’s shrine is a space of silent meditation, prayer, and reflection, making it a haven for seekers of contemplative mysticism.

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Slide 1
BARA BHAI DARBAR

Bara Bhai Darbar, a lesser-known but spiritually significant shrine, is a site of interactive folk Islam, where devotees actively participate in petitionary rituals, prayer thread-tying, and symbolic offerings.

Unlike more prominent Sufi shrines, Bara Bhai Darbar reflects the grassroots spirituality of everyday Punjabis, where folk religious practices and oral traditions remain central to worship.

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Slide 2
SHAH ALAM DARBAR

Shah Alam Darbar is a shrine deeply connected to Sufi egalitarian values, serving as both a spiritual center and a welfare institution. Known for its langar (free food distribution), the shrine embodies the ethos of faqr (spiritual poverty) and selfless service.

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Our Partners

This project is a collaboration between:

PRISM at Tampere University – An international research initiative that examines the intersections of religion, society, and mysticism in postcolonial contexts.

Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) – Conducted the research, fieldwork, and visual documentation for this supplementary project.

Through this partnership, ethnographic research, visual anthropology, and cultural preservation are brought together to offer a holistic and interdisciplinary understanding of mysticism in Pakistan.

Learn more about PRISM’s research here: Tampere University – PRISM Research.

This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International