The main festivals in Sindh are the annual urs of its Sufi saints, which fill shrine towns with music, poetry and fairs, plus Sindhi Culture Day on the first Sunday of December and the Hindu festival of Cheti Chand in spring. Most of them follow the Islamic lunar calendar, so they move about eleven days earlier each year and are best planned around the year's announced dates rather than a fixed month.
This guide takes them in the order most visitors meet them, explains what each one is, and says plainly which ones suit a first visit. For wider planning, see our experiences page.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Sehwan | 9 to 11 February in 2026 (774th urs); moves earlier each year |
| Urs of Sachal Sarmast, Daraza Sharif | 13 to 15 Ramazan |
| Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Bhit Shah | 14 Safar; 29 July in 2026 (public holiday in Sindh) |
| Sindhi Culture Day | First Sunday of December (6 December 2026) |
| Cheti Chand (Sindhi Hindu new year) | Late March or April |
How the Sindh festival calendar works
Almost every large gathering in Sindh is an urs, the death anniversary of a Sufi saint. These follow the Hijri calendar, which is about eleven days shorter than the solar year. A festival that fell in February in 2026 will fall in late January the next year, and so on around the seasons.
That matters for comfort. An urs in June or July means the heat of the Sindh plains, while one in winter is far easier on visitors. The Sindh government usually announces a provincial holiday for the big urs a few days beforehand, which is also the moment when the exact date is confirmed.
Lal Shahbaz Qalandar urs, Sehwan (February in 2026)
The largest and best known is the three-day urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar at Sehwan Sharif. In 2026 it was the 774th urs, held from 9 to 11 February, with a public holiday declared in Sindh beforehand. The evening dhamal, a trance-like dance to drums around the shrine, is what the event is known for.
It is also very crowded, and Sehwan has been attacked before, so security is heavy. Our guide to the Sehwan Sharif urs covers what to expect and the safety side in more detail.
Urs of Sachal Sarmast, Daraza Sharif (Ramazan)
Sachal Sarmast (1739 to 1829) was a Sufi poet who wrote in several languages. His urs is held at Daraza Sharif, near Ranipur in Khairpur district, from the 13th to the 15th of Ramazan. Reports of past years describe a mehfil-e-sama (devotional music), a literary conference, a mushaira and the Sachal Awards, along with traditional Sindhi games.
Because it falls in Ramazan, days are quiet and the gatherings run late into the night. It is a good fit for someone with a serious interest in Sindhi poetry, and a less obvious one for a first-time visitor.
Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Bhit Shah (Safar)
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai is the poet most closely tied to Sindhi identity, and his urs is held at his shrine in Bhit Shah on 14 Safar. In 2026 that was 29 July, and the Sindh government declared a public holiday. Expect music from the shrine's musicians, recitation of his verse (the Shah Jo Risalo) and large crowds from across the province.
It falls in the hot, humid months some years, so carry water and plan short outdoor stretches. Read our Shah Abdul Latif urs guide for the practical side, or the piece on Sindhi Sufi music for what you will hear.
Sindhi Culture Day (first Sunday of December)
Sindhi Culture Day is the easiest festival to join as an outsider. It is celebrated on the first Sunday of December, so 6 December in 2026, and people across Sindh and the diaspora dress in ajrak and Sindhi topi, with processions, music and events in the cities. It is a celebration of everyday identity rather than a religious gathering, which makes it comfortable for families.
Our Sindhi Culture Day guide covers where events usually happen. Winter weather makes early December one of the best times to be in the province.
Cheti Chand and Hindu festivals
Cheti Chand marks the Sindhi Hindu new year and the birth of Jhulelal, also called Udero Lal, usually in late March or April. Celebrations include fairs, processions and devotional songs. The shrine at Odero Lal near Tando Adam is visited by both Hindus and Muslims, and it is a good example of the shared devotion in Sindh.
Sindh's Hindu communities also celebrate Holi and Diwali. See our note on Udero Lal shrine at Matiari.
Who these festivals suit
If you want atmosphere and are comfortable in dense crowds, the big urs gatherings are unmatched. If you want something calmer, choose Sindhi Culture Day or a shrine visit on an ordinary weekday.
They are not ideal for small children, people who dislike crowds, or anyone expecting seating, ticketing or schedules. Women travelling should read the shrine etiquette guidance and go with family or a group.
Is it safe to attend?
Sindh north of Nawabshah is on the UK government's list of areas where all but essential travel is advised against, and Sehwan and Daraza sit in that part of the province. Pakistani visitors still attend in large numbers. Sehwan was hit by a suicide bombing at the shrine in 2017, and police security now surrounds the urs.
Check local news and current police advice before you set out, and avoid the busiest night if you are unsure. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice first, because travelling against it can void travel insurance. Bhit Shah and Odero Lal lie south of that line.
What to carry and how to behave
Dress modestly and cover your head at shrines; women are usually directed to a separate section. Take off your shoes at the entrance, carry small cash for offerings and food, and keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket in a crowd. Ask before photographing people, and never photograph women without permission.
Agree a meeting point with your group in advance, since mobile networks often struggle when thousands are in one place. Eat at busy stalls, drink bottled water, and leave before the crowd does if you are travelling with older relatives.
Planning around the dates
Check the announced date about a week ahead, book accommodation early in shrine towns, and arrive by day. For the province as a whole and its weather, see our guide to the best time to visit Sindh.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main festivals in Sindh?
The urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar at Sehwan, Sachal Sarmast at Daraza Sharif and Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai at Bhit Shah, plus Sindhi Culture Day in December and Cheti Chand in spring.
When is Sindhi Culture Day?
It is held on the first Sunday of December, which is 6 December in 2026.
Why do the urs dates change every year?
They follow the Islamic lunar calendar, which is about eleven days shorter than the solar year, so each urs moves earlier every year.
Is the Sehwan urs open to visitors?
Yes, it is open to the public and free to enter, but very crowded. Follow local security instructions and check current advice first.
Which Sindh festival is best for families?
Sindhi Culture Day, because it is held in the cool weather and centres on processions, music and dress rather than a packed shrine.
