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Ibrahim Shah Wari Waro, Thatta

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Hundreds of devotees mainly belonging to fishermen community, have been thronging the shrine of a saint, Ibrahim Shah Wari 1 Waro, in an Arabian Sea island to attend his annual Mela. Fearless of any eventuality en route the waterway near Indian boder, the devotees, boarding dozens of vessels and yachts decorated with colorful lights and the blaring whistles, travel dozens of nautical miles from different parts of Sindh coastline to reach the island. Most of the island except the shrine is said to be usually submerged under sea water. On the eve of the Mela, the sea however recedes and exposing over 2.50 kilometers area of island to accommodate the visitors. Syed Ibrahim Shah Wari Waro died on 9th Shaban 995 Hijri. Late G. M. Syed wrote in his book "Paigham-e-Latif" that Ibrahim Shah was Murshid (spiritual guide) of Shah Abdul Karim of Bulri, the grandfather of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. The three-day festivities are held at this unique island Mela at the shrine of Ibrahim Shah and after three days scores of boats would return to shore leaving the island to submerge under sea water.

[Source: Text and Photographs: Thatta A Historical Reflection by District Government Thatta | Coordinates: EFT]