Fariduddin Ganjshakar

Hazrat Sheikh Farīd-ud-dīn Mas'ūd Ganj Shakar (4 April 1179 – 7 May 1266), commonly known as Baba Farid Ganjshakar (Punjabi, lit: 'Treasury of Sugar/Sweetness'), was a renowned Sufi preacher, mystic poet and saint of the Chishti Order of South-central Asia.^[1]

Fariduddin Ganjshakar is generally recognized as the first major poet of the Punjabi language, and is considered one of the pivotal saints of the Punjab and indeed, one of the Panj Peers, or five main/great saints of South Asia. Revered equally by Muslims and Hindus, he is also considered one of the fifteen Sikh bhagats. Selections from his work are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture.

His world-famous shrine is located in Pakpattan, in present-day Punjab (Pakistan). It was built in 1267.^[1] Each year during the Islamic month of Muharram, special festivities are held there and pilgrims from many countries come to visit.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Mohammad Vazeeruddin (29 April 2010). "Tales From The Past: Mystic Vision of Baba Farid". Policy Research Group. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2014.