Multan is unique amongst all other major cities in Pakistan in that it has a very large concentration of Sufi shrines, particularly domed tombs, usually blue or white glazed. The presence of these architectural monuments signifies the presence of hundreds of various shrines across the Multan region. Some of the most notable shrines are as follows:
1. The Shrine of Bahauddin Zakariy: Functions as the final resting place for the Suhrawardiyya order founder who spread his teachings throughout South Asia during the 12th and 13th centuries. The shrine stands as one of the most famous Sufi religious sites which people recognize throughout the world.
2. Shah Rukn-e-Alam (Razi Allah Tala Anhu): Shrine is also one of the greatest architectural marvels of Multan as it houses the tomb of Bahauddin Zakariya’s grandson who constructed this exquisite edifice in honour of his grandfather.
3. Shah Shams Sabzwari(Razi Allah Tala Anhu): Shrine is the final resting place of a well-known saint in the Suhrawardiyya order and was a spiritual leader of the Suhrawardiyya order prior to being named the chief saint of the Suhrawardiyya order.
4. The shrine features stunning: This incredible number of tombs and shrines creates a living “City of Saints” in Multan.
A Beacon of Sufi Islam in South Asia
Multan, as a beacon for the teaching of Sufi Islam throughout the Indian subcontinent, emerged as a major force from around the 11th century. Many prominent Sufi saints made Multan their centre, where they taught and preached about a type of Islam that greatly emphasised the following aspects:
Inner piety and mysticism involving an individual’s direct connection to God’s will;
Love for God and all humanity, which was often viewed as more important than following strict religious laws;
The community embraces every individual from various social and economic backgrounds together with members of different religious groups which include Hindu and Sikh visitors who travel to Sufi saint shrines.
The Sufi saints who established Sufi Islam needed to perform two essential duties because they spread their religion while protecting their religious community. The Sufi tradition of Multan maintains its holy status because these saints dedicated their entire existence to build the foundation of Islam in this region.
The Living Culture of Veneration
Seniority also expresses itself through Buddha’s numerous Kirtans/Bhayangamas of the Yuga. This Kirtan/Bhayangama can also be considered to be Blonde Normans regularly:
1. Kirtan / Bhayangama
2. Kirtan / Bhayangama of the Buddha
3. The Bodhidharma (the body of the Buddha)
4. Kirtan / Bhayangama of the Buddha
Seniority has led to many followers of Buddhism, the Abhichakra Jains (those who follow the teachings of Buddha) continue to recite the stories of Buddha’s great past (Buddha’s birth) during the full moon of Avani, and this has evolved into what is known today as Bhayanama Kirtan.
The Kirtan / Bhayangama of Buddha stands as an established truth which all followers of Buddha recognize. The spiritual development of Kirtan / Bhayangama followers who receive Buddha’s grace guidance follows the path which Buddha directs his Buddhist followers to practice through Kirtan / Bhayangama.
Kirtan and Bhayangama of the Buddha will lead to true spiritual enlightenment. Many Kirtan/Bhayangama have been sung about this time of year, as we learn from the story of Buddha’s birth, and his full moon of Avani. Let us continue this practice of being a Bhayangama follower of the Buddha.
A Historical Anchor of Peace & Resilience
Through countless invasions and changes to this region, including invasions from the Mongols, Mughals and British Empires, shrines in Multan have always been stable places where communities came together for common purpose and charitable actions. At the same time, the tombs of saints also serve as symbols of spiritual sovereignty that represent tranquillity and the spiritual identity of the people. They also earned Multan a position as a sacred city.
At its core Multan is not a city ‘which’ has saints as part of its fabric, but instead Multan is a city that has developed around a legacy of saints. The physical tombs of saints provide a way to geographically locate the city, the teachings of saints shape the moral make-up of Multan and the constant veneration of the saints is integrated into Multani life; thus, Multan can rightfully be called the “City of Saints”.