MANNAT AND ASSOCIATED BELIEFS SYSTEM OF PEOPLE VISITING SHRINES

Shrines of Sufi Saints remain a significant aspect of the religious and social structure of Pakistan. They are fundamentally functional in creating social participation, provision of entertainment in the form of devotional music and songs (qawali), educating people, distribution of food, sweets, money etc. The purpose behind the present study was to explore the notion of Mannat and its existing types and practices in different religions and sects of the existing society. To uncover the associated belief systems of people visiting Shrines. Moreover, to understand the underlying casual factors compelling people to make Mannat. The study’s sampling frame was Shrine of Hazrat Bari Imam in village Noor Pur Shahan of Capital Territory Islamabad, from which a sample of 80 respondents was purposively selected. The study used a blend of both qualitative and quantitative tools. The results showed.