The government of Punjab has declared a public holiday in Lahore on March 2 in observance of the memorial of revered sufi poet Shah Hussain.

However, the holiday will not be applicable to government offices.

Shah Hussain’s urs is observed during the ‘Mela Chiraghan’ (festival of lights). People who hold the poet in esteem throng to his shrine in Baghbanpura in Lahore and pay their regards. It is one of the biggest gatherings of its kind in Punjab.

The 16th century poet is associated with popularising the ‘Kafi’ style of Punjabi poetry.

He was born in a family of weavers in 1539, near what is now known as the Taxali gate in Lahore. His grandfather had embraced Islam during the reign of Feroz Shah Tughlaq.

After living through the reigns of Mughal emperors Akbar and leaving an everlasting impact on Punjabi poetry, he passed away in 1599.