Major Events & Festivals in Kotla Qasim Khan, Punjab, Pakistan
1. Lohri Festival
Celebrated in January to welcome spring and harvest. Features bonfires, singing, dancing, and the exchange of gifts.
- Unique Traditions: The festival is unique for its traditional Punjabi songs and dances.
- Community Gathering: Lohri brings the community together in a joyous celebration of harvest and spring.
- Food and Gifts: Gifting of sweets, popcorn, rewari (a traditional Punjabi sweet), and phulkas (round flatbread) is a key part of Lohri.
2. Basant Festival
Celebrated in March to welcome the spring season. Known for kite flying, Basant Rang (colors of spring), and folk music.
- Kite Flying Tradition: Basant is unique for its tradition of intense kite-flying competitions.
- Community Bonding: The festival encourages community bonding through friendly kite-cutting competitions and shared meals.
- Vibrant Colors: Basant Rang, the colors of spring, add a beautiful vibrancy to the celebrations.
3. Eid ul Fitr
Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. Celebrated with communal prayers, feasting, and gift-giving.
- Communal Prayers: Eid ul Fitr is unique for the congregational Eid prayers held in mosques.
- Food and Gifts: Breaking fast together, feasting on traditional dishes, and exchanging gifts are essential parts of Eid ul Fitr.
- Forgiveness and Charity: The spirit of forgiveness and charity is emphasized during Eid ul Fitr, making it a special occasion for the community.
4. Chehlum of Hazrat Ali Hajveri
Annual event commemorating the death anniversary of Hazrat Ali Hajveri (data sahib), a prominent Sufi saint. Celebrated with religious gatherings and food.
- Religious Significance: Chehlum of Hazrat Ali Hajveri is unique for its significant religious importance.
- Community Gathering: The event brings together the community to pay their respects and seek blessings.
- Food and Fakir Namaz: Food distribution and Fakir Namaz (a special prayer) are essential components of Chehlum.
5. Jashan-e-Baharan
Annual spring festival showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Kotla Qasim Khan. Features music, dance, food stalls, and traditional arts and crafts.
- Cultural Showcase: Jashan-e-Baharan is unique for its comprehensive showcase of Kotla Qasim Khan's rich cultural heritage.
- Community Gathering: The festival encourages community bonding and fosters a sense of pride in local culture.
- Local Food and Crafts: Trying local delicacies and purchasing traditional crafts make Jashan-e-Baharan an enjoyable experience.
6. Ramazan Bazaar
Monthly market during Ramadan offering a variety of food items, clothes, and religious supplies.
- Iftar Foods: Ramazan Bazaar is unique for its wide array of Iftar (break-fast) foods.
- Religious Supplies: The bazaar offers a range of religious items, such as Qurans, prayer mats, and rosaries.
- Community Gathering: Ramazan Bazaar brings the community together in the spirit of Ramadan.
7. Food Festival
Annual event celebrating local cuisine and food culture. Features cooking demonstrations, food stalls, and food competitions.
- Culinary Showcase: The Food Festival is unique for its comprehensive showcase of Kotla Qasim Khan's local culinary traditions.
- Food Competitions: Competitions like the Best Chef and Best Recipe offer opportunities for locals to demonstrate their cooking skills.
- Local Delicacies: Tasting unique local dishes and learning about their preparation techniques make the Food Festival enjoyable.
8. Arts and Crafts Fair
Annual event featuring traditional arts, crafts, and handicrafts from Kotla Qasim Khan. Offers an opportunity to purchase unique local items.
- Cultural Preservation: The Arts and Crafts Fair supports the preservation of traditional crafts and art forms.
- Unique Purchases: Purchasing handmade items directly from local artisans offers a unique shopping experience.
- Cultural Exchange: The fair provides a platform for cultural exchange and understanding between locals and visitors.
9. Jashan-e-Mehndi
Annual event celebrating the art of mehndi (henna). Features mehndi artists, music, dance, and food.
- Henna Art: Jashan-e-Mehndi is unique for its focus on the traditional art of mehndi.
- Community Gathering: The event brings together the community to enjoy music, dance, and delicious food while having henna designs applied.
- Henna Therapy: Applying mehndi is also believed to have therapeutic properties.
10. Mela Chiraghan
Annual fair celebrating the birthday of Hazrat Ali Hajveri. Features food stalls, music, dance, and a procession.
- Religious Significance: Mela Chiraghan is unique for its religious significance as it commemorates the birthday of Hazrat Ali Hajveri.
- Community Gathering: The fair brings together the community to celebrate the life and teachings of Hazrat Ali Hajveri.
- Procession and Food: A procession is taken to the shrine of Hazrat Ali Hajveri, followed by a festive meal.
11. Mela Shakar Ganj
Annual fair dedicated to the shrine of Hazrat Baba Farid Ganj-e-Shakar. Features food stalls, music, dance, and a procession.
- Religious Significance: Mela Shakar Ganj is unique for its religious significance as it honors Hazrat Baba Farid Ganj-e-Shakar.
- Community Gathering: The fair brings together the community to celebrate the life and teachings of Hazrat Baba Farid Ganj-e-Shakar.
- Procession and Food: A procession is taken to the shrine of Hazrat Baba Farid Ganj-e-Shakar, followed by a festive meal.
12. Mela Hingul
Annual fair celebrating the miraculous powers of Hazrat Mian Mir. Features food stalls, music, dance, and a procession.
- Religious Significance: Mela Hingul is unique for its religious significance as it honors Hazrat Mian Mir.
- Community Gathering: The fair brings together the community to celebrate the life and teachings of Hazrat Mian Mir.
- Procession and Food: A procession is taken to the shrine of Hazrat Mian Mir, followed by a festive meal.
13. Jashan-e-Rauza
Annual event commemorating the death anniversary of Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam. Features food stalls, music, dance, and a procession.
- Religious Significance: Jashan-e-Rauza is unique for its religious significance as it honors Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam.
- Community Gathering: The event brings together the community to celebrate the life and teachings of Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam.
- Procession and Food: A procession is taken to the shrine of Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam, followed by a festive meal.
14. Jashan-e-Khawaja Ghayasuddin
Annual event commemorating the death anniversary of Hazrat Khawaja Ghayasuddin. Features food stalls, music, dance, and a procession.
- Religious Significance: Jashan-e-Khawaja Ghayasuddin is unique for its religious significance as it honors Hazrat Khawaja Ghayasuddin.
- Community Gathering: The event brings together the community to celebrate the life and teachings of Hazrat Khawaja Ghayasuddin.
- Procession and Food: A procession is taken to the shrine of Hazrat Khawaja Ghayasuddin, followed by a festive meal.
15. Mela Baba Farid
Annual fair celebrating the birth anniversary of Hazrat Baba Farid Ganj-e-Shakar. Features food stalls, music, dance, and a procession.
- Religious Significance: Mela Baba Farid is unique for its religious significance as it honors Hazrat Baba Farid Ganj-e-Shakar.
- Community Gathering: The fair brings together the community to celebrate the life and teachings of Hazrat Baba Farid Ganj-e-Shakar.
- Procession and Food: A procession is taken to the shrine of Hazrat Baba Farid Ganj-e-Shakar, followed by a festive meal.