Chauburji To us children, he appeared to be a character out of a buccaneering tale. His name was Meene Shah and he was the leader of the trio that acted as caretakers at the last resting place of Hazrat Shah Inayat Qadri, the great Saint, who was Baba Bullay Shahs 'murshed and mentor. With a mane of shoulder length grey hair, an imposing physique made more so by a long green 'kurta, necklaces and bracelets made of large colored beads or 'mankahs and a voice that carried far, Meene Shah was the favorite of both young and old from around the neighboring bungalows. He was a natural story teller and wit, who would brandish his thick stave and run after children in a mock chase or with a twinkle in his eye come out with lines such as ' Allah kaka tun, tere bode pai gaee jun (You are Gods child, but there are lice in your hair). His deputy, whose name has eluded memory, was in appearance a complete opposite of Meene Shah, but that is where the difference ended. Lean of physique and dressed in immaculate white kurta, dhoti with a white turban on his head, this individual wore a perpetual impish smile and was always ready with a repartee for anyone who dared to challenge him in a match of word play. He was also the official 'huqqa filler of the group. Baba Meraj Din was quite like 'Grumpy from the tale of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Short in stature, he always wore a frown and looked at the world with nothing short of 'pessimism. He would invariably pin visitors down with an interminable tale of woe starting from his personal health to 'what the world around him was coming to. He was therefore fair game for children, who would irk him into a state of agitation and then scamper away to the great merriment of his other two colleagues. The shrine itself was an exciting place for the neighborhood youngsters, not only because of Meene Shah, but because there was a kettle drum or 'shutri placed near the steps that went up to the spacious terrace and the grave of the great Saint. This was a relic out of history books and an object of constant attention and impromptu practice by the young ones. In Ramzan however, it assumed a more formal role in announcing 'sehar and 'iftaar. Every Thursday, the Shrine became the source of free food or 'bhandaara made up of 'khameeri roti and daal chana, for devotees and anyone else in need of sustenance. It was a custom for Meene Shah to send a generous portion of this 'bhandaara to the houses in close vicinity of the Shrine. I can say without hesitation that this was one of the most delicious combinations I have ever tasted any where in the world and despite several attempts, has never been successfully duplicated in my kitchen. Twice a year, the Shrine took on a festive look as the 'Urs of Hazrat Shah Inayat was observed by the Arain brotherhood and other devotees. This was a time when Meene Shah and his team came into their element and spruced up the area and themselves in the most impressive manner. Three events made the 'Urs memorable the mela, the 'Sehra and the 'Qawwali. The Mela was set up on the side of the Main Road that passed by the Shrine and consisted of rides, stalls for devotional items and food the latter serving amongst other things, the tantalizing 'katlamma. The 'Sehra was what its name implied, but large enough to be fixed on the doorway leading into the actual burial chamber. It was carried along with a 'chadar or a beautiful embroidered covering for the grave, amidst a procession led by a group of drummers. The 'Urs was rounded off by a 'Qawwali session that featured big names. Lahore has been blessed by the presence of many great 'Men of God, who now lie in peace scattered all over the city. Devotees throng to these sites, which form an essential part of the culture and color of the Great City. These Shrines were once looked after by descendants of these very Saints or devotees and cared for by men like Meene Shah, before being taken over by the Government 'Auqaaf Department. It would be well to remember that these premises not only have a devotional aspect, but are critical relics of our history, requiring preservation and care. The writer is a freelance columnist.