Top 10 Pakistani Festivals and Celebrations, Cultural and religious holidays are enthusiastically observed by various communities. Pakistan is a country where people come from all different backgrounds, affiliations, and cultures, adding diversity to everything. Festivals are beautiful occasions for a country to celebrate its ideas and culture. People celebrate various festivals to promote their culture by sharing and updating the causes of past events. There are several celebrations in Pakistan. In this article, we have listed the Top 10 Pakistani Festivals and Celebrations.
Top 10 Pakistani Festivals and Celebrations:
Let’s take a look at the Top 10 Pakistani Festivals and Celebrations.
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Independence Day:
Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day on August 14 as on this day India’s Muslims gained independence as a separate state. Pakistanis celebrate this day with Passion and enthusiasm because they are patriotic people and show love for their country. The celebrations start several days ahead and the festival peaks on August 14. People decorate their houses, streets, motorcycles and cars, with national flags, colorful buntings, and pictures of our national heroes. On this day children and young people wear clothes displaying the colors and designs of the national flag.
Eid Milad-un-Nabi:
Eid Milad-un-Nabi is the most decorated of all the festivals on this list and is celebrated every year on the 12th Rabi’ul-Awwal to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad, the most famous figure of Islam. The festival is celebrated with great religious fervor by decorating houses and bazaars, hosting Naat gatherings, and offering special prayers. Processions are held in every town and city in Pakistan and a large number of people participate in them. Scholars discuss the life and teachings of our beloved Prophet in special events organized in mosques and other places.
Eid ul Fitr:
Eid-ul-Fitr is the most important festival of Muslims which is celebrated on the 1st Shawwal of the Muslim Hijri calendar. Muslims arrange fasting during the month of Ramadan and celebrate this festival at the end of the month with great joy. This important and exciting festival of Pakistan traditionally starts at dusk on the evening of the first crescent moon sighting and lasts for three days. After Eid prayers, families gather and celebrate with communal meals and lots of delicious sweets. Also, it is very important for those who are celebrating Eid to give Zakat, sometimes called required charity.
Shab e Baraat:
Shab-e-Barat is one of the major Muslim festivals that is celebrated on the 15th night of the eighth month of Sha’ban in the Islamic calendar. Shab-e-Barat is called the night of destiny and destiny because the followers of Islam believe that on this night the fate and destiny of every person are decided because Allah Almighty forgives those who commit sins Some youngsters also enjoy fireworks and lights and sweet dishes are also cooked on this occasion and shared with the loved ones, neighbors, and friends, as well as donate to the less fortunate.
Eid ul Adha:
Eid-ul-Azha is another Muslim festival that is celebrated on the 10th of the 12th Islamic month of Dhul-Hajj. It is a religious festival known as Eid al-Adha that commemorates the sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim, in which he offered the life of his son Hazrat Ismail to fulfill the command of Allah. On this day, Muslims around the world sacrifice a sheep, goat, cow, or camel in the name of Allah, and the meat of the sacrificial animal is divided into three parts and given to family members, friends, and especially the poor. Thus, a sheep, cow, goat, or in some cases a camel is slaughtered during the three-day ceremony.
Pakistan Day:
The second-most significant national day in Pakistan is Pakistan Day whose historical importance is very high. Independence Day celebrates the official independence of Pakistan while Pakistan Day commemorates the passing of the Lahore Resolution and the adoption of Pakistan’s first constitution. It is celebrated on March 23 to honor a historic resolution that was adopted on that day in 1940 during the annual meeting of the All India Muslim League. On this day, the majestic military parade in Islamabad serves as the centerpiece of the celebrations, which are also carried out with tremendous fervor.
Festivals at shrines of Sufi saints:
In Pakistan, Sufi saints and their teachings are very well-liked and popular. They play a significant role in our country’s religious and cultural landscape. The annual fairs and festivals are held at the shrines of these saints. Some of these festivals of Sufi Saints are Mela Chiraghan, Urs at Data Darbar, Urs of Baba Bulleh Shah, and Urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. The Mela Chiraghan or “Festival of Lights or Lamps” is celebrated at the shrine of the 16th century Sufi saint Shah Hussain in the Baghbanpura area of Lahore.
Data Darbar is the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh and Data’s Urs is held for three days from the 18th to the 20th Safar of the Hijri calendar while Baba Balhe Shah’s Urs is in the middle of the month of Muharram and Urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar starts on 18th Shaban.
Shandur Polo Festival:
Shandur Polo Festival is one of the largest and most Top 10 Pakistani Festivals and Celebrations. Polo teams from Gilgit-Baltistan participate in the Shandur Polo Festival at Babusar, the highest polo ground in the world, every year. The Mela is an incredible sporting event held by the tribes of Gilgit and Chitral that offers a rich cultural experience. The polo festival is held in August each year and many spectators from all around Pakistan attend the festival and watch the teams compete against one another.
Horse and Cattle Show:
The horse and Cattle Show is another Pakistani festival that is held for a week in November every year. It is held in many parts of the country, but the most famous of them is the one held at the Fortress Stadium, Lahore. Farmers proudly presented their best breed of cattle. It is a good opportunity for breeders to share experiences with others and increase their knowledge. There are also a number of other scheduled events, such as horse racing, camping, and wrestling. Tattoo exhibitions are also popular. Guests are entertained for a long time with camel and horse dances, vibrant folk dances from all regions of Pakistan, band performances, and similar events.
Pakistan Flower Show:
The Flower Show is a very beautiful festival that started in 1948 and is held every year across the Pakistan, especially in big cities like Karachi. Pakistan Horticultural Society is responsible for organizing it. The country’s biggest event is taking place there. Different types and colors of flowers are kept in the exhibition. It takes place in February and is undoubtedly a treat for the head and soul.
