Dhamaal - pakistani whirling and dancing ceremony

Man praying in the inner yard of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; Thousands of devotees visit the The shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar particularly every Thursday. It was built in 1356 and decorated with Sindhi 'kashi-tiles', mirror-work and a gold-plated door. The inner sanctum is about 100 square yards with a silver-canopied grave in the middle. Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, was a scholar, Sufi saint and religious-poet of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The exterior of the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; Thousands of devotees visit the The shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar particularly every Thursday. It was built in 1356 and decorated with Sindhi 'kashi-tiles', mirror-work and a gold-plated door. The inner sanctum is about 100 square yards with a silver-canopied grave in the middle. Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, was a scholar, Sufi saint and religious-poet of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Two Pakistani girls sitting on the stairs in the inner yard of the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; Two Pakistani girls sitting on the stairs in the inner yard of the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan.

Devotees visiting the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; Devotees visiting the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. It was built in 1356 and decorated with Sindhi 'kashi-tiles', mirror-work and a gold-plated door. The inner sanctum is about 100 square yards with a silver-canopied grave in the middle. Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, was a scholar, Sufi saint and religious-poet of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Devotees visit the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; Hundrets of devotees visit the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, particularly every Thursday. The was built in 1356 and decorated with Sindhi 'kashi-tiles', mirror-work and a gold-plated door. The inner sanctum is about 100 square yards with a silver-canopied grave in the middle. Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, was a scholar, Sufi saint and religious-poet of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The big drums in the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan, Pakistan used for the Dhamaal ceremony

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; Thousands of devotees visit the The shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar particularly every Thursday. The big drums in the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar are used for the Dhamaal ceremonyIt. The shrine was built in 1356 and decorated with Sindhi 'kashi-tiles', mirror-work and a gold-plated door. The inner sanctum is about 100 square yards with a silver-canopied grave in the middle. Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, was a scholar, Sufi saint and religious-poet of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Locals gather at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan, Pakistan for the Dhamaal ceremony

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; Thousands of devotees visit the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, particularly every Thursday. It was built in 1356 and decorated with Sindhi 'kashi-tiles', mirror-work and a gold-plated door. The inner sanctum is about 100 square yards with a silver-canopied grave in the middle. Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, was a scholar, Sufi saint and religious-poet of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Dhamaal preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.

Sufi dancing, called Dhamaal practiced by devotee in the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.

Dhamaal preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.

Sufi dancing, called Dhamaal practiced by devotee in the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.

Sufi dancing, called Dhamaal practiced by devotee in the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.

Sufi dancing, called Dhamaal practiced by devotee in the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.

Man beating drums (naghara) during Sufi whirling in in the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.

Sufi dancing, called Dhamaal practiced by devotee in the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.

Local Pakistani man participating in Dhamaal in the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.

Boy beating drums (naghara) during Sufi whirling in in the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.

Sufi dancing, called Dhamaal practiced by devotee in the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.

Sufi dancing, called Dhamaal practiced by devotee in the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.

Sufi dancing, called Dhamaal practiced by devotee in the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.

People prearing for the start of the Dhamaal in the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.

Sufi whirling and dancing, called Dhamaal practiced by priests in the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan

Sehwan, Pakistan; 27 November 2019; In Sufi shrines in Pakistan, such as the Lal shrine in Sehwan, Sindh, the practice of Sufi whirling is called Dhamaal and is performed to honor Sufi saints, or qalandars. Unlike the Turkish practice, Dhamaal may be practiced by any devotee. Dhamaal is usually preceded by the beating of a drum (naghara) and ringing of bells, as pilgrims raise their hands, start to skip steps standing at one place and gradually work into a trance as the beats get faster. They regard the rhythm of the drum to evoke the rhythm of the creation of the universe, as illustrated in the concept of Kun Fyakun.