In Pakistan, the burning of oil lamps at Sufi shrines shapes the visitor’s sensual perception, but is above all connected with the practice of making vows. The offering of light is therefore considered auspicious in popular devotional Islam. Consequently, the lighting of lamps at shrines also marks the beginning of commemorative rituals and festivities. The present article documents and investigates contemporary lampstands, lamp niches, and lamp houses in the lowlands of Pakistan that until today have remained largely unnoticed as far as material religion is concerned. On the basis of their various forms, these lighting devices are differentiated as free-standing oil lamps, ʿalam-shaped lampstands, tree-shaped lampstands, special forms of lampstands, lamp niches, and lamp houses.
Wasim Frembgen, Jürgen. "Light at Pakistani Sufi Shrines: Notes on Lampstands, Lamp Niches, and Lamp Houses", Muqarnas 37, 1 (2020): 315-324.
