Ali Hajvery's Tomb, Lahore

Commonly known as “Data Durbar”, is the shrine of Hazrat Syed Ali Al-Hajweri, the famed Sufi Saint of the 11th century. He palyed significant role in the spread of Islam in South Asia and considered as the most pious Sufi Saint in the region. For centuries Sufi’s visiting Pakistan pay honor by visiting the Shrine. Every year hundreds of thousands of people visit here to say their prayers in the Hajweri Mosque inside the Shrine. The place therefore is open round the clock and every day tons of food is distributed among poor and hungry people. It’s a must visit place in Lahore not only for spiritual blessings but it also provides glimpse of various cultures of Pakistan as people come here from all corners of the country.

Ganj Bakhsh-e faiz-e aalam, mazhar-e Nur-i Khuda
(Ganj Bakhsh is a manifestation of the Light of God for the people)

Naqisaan ra pir-e kaamil, kaamilaan ra rahnuma
(A perfect guide unto the imperfect ones and a guide unto the perfect ones)

Hazrat Syed Ali bin Usman Hajweri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh ( Bestower of Spiritual Treasures ) belonged to a place called Hajwer in the town of Ghazni, Afghanistan. He lived during the 11th century AD, and was well versed in all the Islamic sciences such as Tafsir ( exegesis ) of the Holy Qur'an, Hadith ( Traditions of the Prophet ), Fiqh ( Muslim Law ) and dogmatic theology ( Ilmu Kalam ).
In the course of his spiritual journey to God, he journeyed physically to many countries, often alone and with hardship. These places included Turkestan, Transoxania, Iran, Iraq, and Syria where he met innumerable Sufi sheikhs, many of whom he has mentioned in his book 'Kashf ul Mahjoob'. He came to Lahore in the later part of his life for the specific purpose of Tablegh ( preaching and teaching ) Islam, converting large numbers of people into Muslim Ummah. He passed away in Lahore in 1077 AD, where his shrine currently stands. Data Darbar shrine is open 24 hours and is visited by people of all walks of Life.

Ali Hajvery is considered one of the great pious persons of God that lived in this city once. They say that no one can starve in Lahore. The reason is that People donate tons and tons of free food at Ali Hajvery's Tomb for the poor and hungry. Some people come here to pray for Ali Hajvery's soul, some come to eat the free food and some are here just to have drugs. If you are a foreigner, be very careful if you go this part of the city as people might try to take advantage of you - all kinds of people come here.