Urs Imam Bari

عرس امام باری

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Religious & SpiritualIslamabad
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageBari Imam is venerated as the patron saint
Language["ur"]Currency: PKR
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Urs Imam Bari in Islamabad

Urs Imam Bari is the annual three-day death-anniversary commemoration of Sufi saint Syed Abdul Latif Kazmi, known as Bari Imam, held August 15-17 at his shrine in Noor Pur Shahan, Islamabad, drawing thousands of pilgrims for dhamaal, qawwali, poetry, free food distribution, and a large surrounding bazaar.

Syed Abdul Latif Kazmi, better known across Islamabad and beyond as Bari Imam or Bari Sarkar, was a seventeenth-century Sufi ascetic of the Qadiri order, born in 1617 in Karsal village in what is now Chakwal district, whose family later settled in Baghan, an area now known as Aabpara in modern Islamabad.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Bari Imam is venerated as the patron saint of Islamabad itself, so his urs functions as something close to a citywide devotional event rather than a purely local shrine commemoration, drawing pilgrims from across Pakistan and abroad to a single site at the foot of the Margalla Hills

02

The mystery stays covered

The three-day program each August centers on dhamaal, the trance-like Sufi devotional dance performed by devotees to drums, alongside qawwali singing and poetry recitation, while volunteers organize langar, or free food distribution, for the large crowds

03

The city starts moving

Security for the event is substantial enough that a deputy prime minister has personally reviewed arrangements in past years, and officials have at times weighed postponement against overlapping religious dates, underscoring how significant this single urs has become

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Centers on dhamaal

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the Sufi Qadiri-order trance dance performed to drumming

The sacred route

Living ritual

alongside qawwali devotional singing

The local code

Living ritual

poetry recitation in the saint's honor

Tradition 5

Living ritual

the tradition of free communal food distribution common to Sufi shrine culture across South Asia

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

For Urs Imam Bari, plan transport around the exact Islamabad venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Modest, conservative dress is expected at a Sufi shrine: loose, full-coverage clothing, a head covering for women (and often for men as well), and closed shoes that are easy to remove before...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

For Urs Imam Bari, stay near the part of Islamabad you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

["ur"] · PKR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map33.72 N, 73.04 EOpen in Google Maps

Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan

Nearest airportISB — Islamabad
TransportFor Urs Imam Bari, plan transport around the exact Islamabad venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Urs Imam Bari, stay near the part of Islamabad you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Islamabad via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Islamabad, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearModest, conservative dress is expected at a Sufi shrine: loose, full-coverage clothing, a head covering for women (and often for men as well), and closed shoes that are easy to remove before entering shrine areas.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Pakistan and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Urs Imam Bari?

Urs Imam Bari is listed for Dates to be announced. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Urs Imam Bari take place?

The festival is listed in Islamabad, Pakistan. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Date announcement pending. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusDate announcement pending
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