Mela Chiraghan or Mela Shalamar ("Festival of Lights") is a three day annual festival to mark the urs (death anniversary) of the Punjabi Sufi poet and saint Shah Hussain. It takes place at the shrine of Shah Hussain in Baghbanpura, on the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan, adjacent to the Shalimar Gardens.
Nearly half a million people from every corner of Pakistan and every religion come to attend this colorful, gay, festive, extravaganza. Joyful people are singing and dancing and cultural dances are performed on stage. All sorts of ethnic foods are served from gol gappas, sweetmeats, qatlamas, and fruit chaats to bhang-laced papppars and thousands of candles are set in earthenware lamps and lit by disciples. The festivities and handcrafts reflect the folklore and traditional rituals of Punjabi mystics and culture. Whirling dervishes dance to the tunes of drums and recite Kafis written by Shah Hussain. Pilgrims sit by a bonfire where by doing so they believe their prayers will be answered and others come and toss candles into the bonfire hoping that their wishes will be granted. People dance and celebrate throughout the night.