Lahoot Lamakan | |
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Urdu: لاہوت لا مکاں | |
Location | Balochistan, Pakistan |
Lahoot Lamakan (Urdu: لاہوت لا مکاں) is a sacred cave in Balochistan, Pakistan.[1]
Tuhfat al-Kiram — primarily, a chronicle of Sufis in Sindh by Mir Ali Sher Qaune Thattvi (c. mid-eighteenth century) — that one Bilawal Shah Noorani of Thatta was afflicted by divine frenzy, and had to leave the town in the late fifteenth century during the reign of Jam Nizamuddin II.[2] He ventured west of Thatta and ended up in the valley, usurping the orchards of one Gokal Seth.[2]
The site draws thousands of Shia Muslim pilgrims every year, who take a fortnight-long pilgrimage to the valley, starting from the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Sehwan and stopping by at small shrines (or stations) in the way.[3][4][a] However, the primary subject of veneration is not Shah Noorani but Ali, a cousin of Muhammad and the first Shia Imam.[2] A footprint is alleged to be that of Ali, cast while he had dismounted from his horse to fight "Gokul Deo"; another footprint is attributed to the hoof of his horse.[2][b] There is also a cave, where Shah Noorani had allegedly spent his last days; inside lies a stone which is argued to be the image of Ali's camel.[2][c]