Hundreds of followers of Sufi Saint Mastan Shah Baba alias Syed Mohammad Abdur Rauf participated in a rally at the Dargah of the Saint today to mark the beginning of his 16^th Urs.  From today people will celebrate the 16^th Urs at his Dargah situated near Rani Road.

According to the Islamic calendar the Urs begins today, the 25^th day of Safar, year 1435 (Hijri).  During the four days of Urs various programs will be held in which hundreds of people from different cities will participate.  Like always today, after the customary flag hoisting, which announced the beginning of the Urs special spiritual blanket (Chaadar), which is brought from Ajmer has been offered at the Mazaar (Shrine) of the saint.

The Sadar (Head) of the Mastan Baba trust, Majeed Khan informed that the flag rally started from the grounds of Badi Masjid area of Mulla Talia and after passing through various areas it reached the Dargah around 4.15 pm.

Khan also informed that after the Namaz of Ishah a program of Milad will be held in which a number of Spiritual Songs (Naath) will be sung.

Khan further informed that tonight during the program of Milad, there will be public addresses by various Islamic scholars like Waqar Alhaz Maulana Sufi Nisar Ahmed Basni from Nagor, Alhaz Maulana Hafizo Kari Muhammad Ishaq from Rajsamand and many other Islamic intellectuals and the poets from the city including the Imams of the Masjids who will also participate tonight.

Majeed said that on the occasion of Urs around 200 shops have been installed in the Dargah Premises with different types of rides for the kids.

Majeed, informing about the schedule of the four days Urs said that on 30^th December after the Namaz of Zuhar (afternoon Namaz) a short program of Natkhuani (Religious Songs) will be followed by an evening program of Mehfile Sama (Kawali Program) will be held  that will continue till 11 pm.

On 31^st December, two Chaadar Prossesion will be held, which will start from Mullatalia and Khanjipeer area respectively.

At the end the Sadar said that the 4 days Urs will end on 1^st of January with a Milad Program in the morning and followed by a Fatiha of Kul.