Showing posts with label Pakistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pakistan. Show all posts

Wednesday 26 August 2020

Sufed Mahal Marghraz Swat Valley

The White Palace ofMarghazar (Sufed Mahal) was built in 1940 by the first king of Swat, Miangul Abdul Wadud in the small town of Marghazar. The Sufed Mahal is located more than 7,000 feet above sea level on Marghazar Hill, about fourteen kilometers away from the small city of Saidu Sharif. Marghazar was declared as the summer capital of the Swat valley state.

Presently, Sufed Mahal is serving as a hotel. Miangul Jehanzaib who was the wali of Swat often spends their summertime at the White Palace of Marghazar Swat valley.  Therefore, with the passage of time, the palace was converted into a tourist resort.

Miangul Abdul Wadud the king of Swat likes the green spot, so the majestic greenish area attracts to him. So, historical sacredness, and above all, he decided to build a summer resort at Marghazar in 1935.

There are twenty four active capacious ornamented rooms and the Royal Suite (ex-King’s bedroom) where Queen of England Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip stayed for three days in 1961.

The magnificent white marble adding the beauty to Royal White Palace and hence name was given to the palace. The Badshah Sahib (King) Miangul Abdul Wadud was a fan of imported marbles, so he decided to bring marble from Agra, bronze from Belgium.

Turkish artisans designed and constructed the palace, completing it in 1941. The first name was Swati Taj Mahal, later on, it was called Motti Mahal and now Sufed Mahal (White Palace). Therefore, different fauna and flora enriched the place and made it a mini zoo as well as a mini botanical garden.

The White Palace has two ample conference halls where King Abdul Wadood used to hold a cabinet meetings along with lobby to have a beautiful view of the garden lawn. Moreover, on the right side, there is a beautiful airy veranda to have a sight of a swirling stream of water.

Thus, on the left side of the building, a six-roomed Lord's Block for the residence of advisors and ministers. On the upper portion of the palace, there is the eight-roomed Prince Block; it is an enclave in trees and shrubs. If you go further upstairs, there is a 12 roomed Queen's block.

The raw material of White Palace was imported from Jaypure India, the same quarry that supplied marble to the Taj Mahal Agra. Moreover, lime (white Chuna) is used as a binding material in place of cement. It is so compact to be drilled. The height of the ceiling is 30 to 35 ft to give extra strength and ward off heat. Amazingly, ceiling fans were imported and installed in 1941 and are still working.

Badshah Sahab had two wives so he built this block in a way that each wife got 3 rooms, 3 servant rooms, and a separate lawn in her share. The counterpart portion of the second wife is a replica of the first one. In front of the lawn, there is a single balcony with marble benches and a table with engraved paintings of grapes.

Miangul Asfandyar Amir Zeb became the owner after the death of King Miangul Wadood. These days Miangul Shahriyar Amir Zeb is the owner of the White Palace. There is also a 200-year-old colossal chinar tree, serving as a canopy for visitors.

Visitors relish the pleasant weather in summer. They go in huge numbers to enjoy the cold water springs, peaches, apricots, ripe persimmons, and lush green high rise mountains peaks. However, in the winter season, the valley attracts visitors for its unending white snow sheet.

The White Palace is now converted into a hotel and has become a visitor attraction in summer. There are a number of beautiful shops offering multiple items to visitors. The onsite eating place offers an extensive selection of both traditional and non-traditional food. Whenever you go to Swat, it is a highly recommended place to visit.  Moreover, you will also enjoy zigzag roads turning into a lush green valley.









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Tuesday 28 July 2020

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

In the Arabian Sea, approximately 25 km off the coast of Balochistan, a large hidden uninhabited island lies, which is just 7 km long and 2.5 km wide. That is famous as Astola Island (Island of the Seven Hills) with sheer white cliffs surrounded by warm turquoise water. A beautiful slender white beach runs around the periphery of Astola Island. The cliffs shrink inland to make secluded cloves almost like in the Mediterranean.

It is also known as Jezira Haft Talar, which has long been Pakistan’s hidden gem. Astola Island is a mainly untouched site that has all the hallmarks of a tourist getaway. Many thanks to its remote location, the superb beauty has remained unblemished. In 325BC Alexander the Great has sent Arrian people to explore the Arabian Sea and Gulf Sea. However, the Sailors Fleet were frightened at the weird tales about a barren island. The Arrian called it Nosala, and also named it as Carmina, Karmine.

If someone wants to go to Astola Island, then he has to 7 hours of travel from Karachi to Pasni, almost 40 kilometers from Astola Island. Pasni is a seaport in the Arabian Sea, from here, the ultimate destination is 5 hours by boat. Astola the Pakistan largest offshore Island has no facilities only an old lighthouse and a small masjid.

Travelers who visit the secret place of Pakistan, usually camp at the beach and go snorkeling or deep-sea diving and enjoy it chasms and crevices, that is several feet wide. There are several natural caves and coves on the Astola island. The south side slopes off progressively whereas the north face is cliff-like with a sharp vertical drop.

Fisherman catching lobsters, crabs, and oysters between May and September. The best time to visit Astola Island in May and September when a gentle breeze blows throughout the day and the color of the water and pattern of the beach keeps changing with the tide. The water is so clear that one can see the seabed to a depth of about 20 feet. From Mid-June to Mid-August, the moon soon starts, which becomes Island is inaccessible by boat as the sea becomes too rough.

This is mostly a barren island due to the unavailability of freshwater, hence, you will not see too many trees there except a few bushes and scrubs. There is no vegetation on the Island. Nevertheless, plenty of marine life such as corals, dolphins, whales, and diverse fish species. The majestic sandy beaches offering nesting grounds for different bird species such as gulls, godwit, curlews, coursers, plovers, sanderling, endangered green sea turtle and the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbracata). Therefore, the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus astolae) is endemic to the Astola island.

Unfortunately, legal and illegal fishing activities has made big damage to the island’s ecology. The fishermen dump waste and wrecked nets on the coast that gets tangled in the corals and damage them. The sooty gull (Larus hemprichii) once had a main breeding colony on the Astola island, has been getting rid of because of rats introduced from a decade. However, the wild cats left the island to dig out turtle nests and eat the eggs and hatchlings. Furthermore, some ancient ruins of Hindu temple located on the Island known to the Hindus as Satadip.

In 2017, Pakistan declared Astola Island first-ever Marine Protected Area. However, this Asian country is yet to draw up a proper plan on how to handle pollution problems. Therefore, this declaration put some positive aspects, but the ignorance of management raises questions about the protection of the island and the associated biodiversity that is facing multiple issues. In 1982, the Pakistan Government installed a lighthouse on the island for the safety of passing vessels, eventually, it was replaced by a solar-powered in 1987.

The WWF for Nature in Pakistan argued that the development of a management plan for the Astola Island would take time. Pakistan needs to take some time into consideration the socio-economic aspects of local fishers and issues related to livelihood needs. Astola Island needs good practices to be promoted and bad practices should be discouraged. They believe that it is possible to protect the island’s ecology and biodiversity and at the same time promote ecotourism on the island.

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan
Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Astola Island, Pasni Pakistan

Read More – The Tree of Life Kalaloch, Washington
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Monday 8 June 2020

Chokundi Cemetery and Tombs - Pakistan

Here are some things you may not know about Chokundi Cemetery. The "Chokundi Cemetery", named after the 600-year-old city of Khumshan, has a rich history buried in itself. The cemetery is located behind the Razzaqabad Police Training Center near Steel Town, about 38 km from Karachi in the Sindh province of Pakistan.

What does Quadrant Mean?

The quadrilateral is called the "four corners". All the tombs here have four corners, which is probably why it is known as "Chokundi Cemetery". The tombs here are said to belong to two tribes, the Jokhio and the Baloch. Domes are supported by pillars.
The Chokundi cemetery is in a way divided into two parts. The number of graves is low in the eastern part and very high in the western part. The locals say that in the eastern part there are graves of Jokhio tribe while in the western part there are graves of Baloch people. They were mostly built during Mughal emperors rule dating back to the 15th and 18th centuries when Islam became a dominant religion.
The Chokundi Cemetery is a masterpiece of architecture and sculpture and is historically one of the most important cemeteries in Pakistan. All the tombs here are made of more sandstone. Rectangular tombs are usually two and a half feet wide, five feet long and four to six feet high. The tombs are regularly carved.
The tombs feature painting, flowers, various designs, headbands, motifs, mounted horsemen, hunting scenes, and latticework similar to the crowns of Egyptian kings. Moreover, the tall domes have been erected on some of the tombs, indicating that ordinary people are not buried in the Chokundi cemetery. The tombs are beautifully elaborate with sandstone carvings.
Men's graves are marked with swordsmanship, horsemanship and swords, daggers, etc., while women's graves are decorated with beautiful ornaments. Some people say about this place that at night, usually after sunset, there are screams and noises, but there is no conclusive evidence as to how true this is.
In Baluchistan and Sindh, this is a remarkable graveyard constructed with buff-colored sandstone. This type of graveyard well preserved in the arid condition, either single graves or groups of eight graved raised on a common platform.
Chokundi Cemetery
Chokundi Cemetery

Chokundi Cemetery

Chokundi Cemetery

Chokundi Cemetery

Chokundi Cemetery

Chokundi Cemetery

Chokundi Cemetery

Chokundi Cemetery

Chokundi Cemetery

Chokundi Cemetery
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Sunday 17 May 2020

Bhodesar - The ancient city of Nagarparker

Bhadrishar Nagri, is now called Bhodesar, is located at the foot of the Karunjhar Hills, two miles northwest of the city of Nagarparkar. The people living here were followers of Jainism. After the formation of Pakistan, the followers of Jainism migrated from here with their idols. Their monuments are still present in the form of temples. Bhodesar is also commonly known as Bhodesar Nagra. It is also known, due to which the area was named Nagar Parker.

 

The city of Bhodesar was founded in 515 BC. According to the duo of Nokoti Marwar, Hansi made Pari Nagar the capital of his government. His second brother was Bhodo. He came and settled in Bhodesar. People belonging to the tribe were settled. The Jenny people, who were quite wealthy, paid homage to Rana Bhodesar, the ruler of Thar. About 600 BC, a man named Mahavira founded Jain Dharma.

Some scholars say that Jains Doctrine is a branch of Hindu Dharma, while some scholars claim that it is closer to Buddhism. One-third was peaceful people, who considered it a sin to harm a living being. This was the reason why they used to walk barefoot and with a cloth over their mouths and cook in the evening and did not light lanterns, lamps or lamps for lighting in the houses so that no living the thing would be harmed by it

Some historians also say that the area was named after the queen of the Indus Valley, "Bhodi". She built a beautiful pond at the foot of the Karunjhar hills, which gained historical significance due to Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni. According to tradition, during the expedition of Somnath, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi lost his way while passing through the Thar Desert and he wandered and reached the hills of Karunjhar.

In a state of extreme thirst, he and his army reached the pond in search of water, where he and his soldiers quenched their thirst and stored water for his long journey. He erected a monument here to commemorate the occasion.

 

In the 14th or 15th century AD, there was a lot of sodhas and khusos in Parker. The people of the area were very narrow in their hands. He complained to the king of the Tughlaq dynasty of India, who ordered Ran Mahmud Begra, the ruler of Gujarat, to suppress him. Sultan Mahmood defeated these tribes by assassinating the army but after his return to Gujarat they started revolting again. Therefore, he attacked again and after restoring law and order in the city he returned to his capital, Ahmedabad.

Sometime later, Sultan Mehmood mother was passing by Bhodesar with a caravan when the Sodhas stopped her caravan and received a bribe. When his mother reached Ahmedabad, and told this story. Then in the third phase, in 1505, he attacked Bhodisar. There was a fierce battle in which many of the Sultan's men were killed And the Sodhas also suffered heavy casualties.

He settled the Muslim soldiers of his army here and built the "Bhodisar Masjid" which is located at the same place where Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi had built a monument. This magnificent mosque, thirty feet long and twenty feet wide, is an eternal masterpiece of the architectural art of the followers of Islam.

In the construction, large marble stones have been used in all the walls and floors, which are placed on top of each other in such a way that it looks as if someone has placed them today. The three domes and mahrabs of the mosque are beautifully constructed from the stones brought from the Karunjhar hills.

The color of the ancient civilization of Mehran Valley is also in the structure of the historic Bhodisar Masjid located at the foot of the magical mountains of Karunjhar. Hlkta is visible.

Further, it is said that the craftsmen of Jain Dharma took part in the construction of this mosque at that time by setting the best example of religious tolerance. This mosque consisting of marble pillars is its own example. In the vast courtyard of the mosque is a historic cemetery with stone tombs belonging to the soldiers of Mahmud Hegray who were martyred in the battle with the Khushos.

Despite the passage of many centuries, this ancient mosque still retains its existence. Yes, but due to the inattention of the government, the historical heritage had started losing its identity and the walls of the mosque were slowly crumbling. Thus, due to government ignorance, this historic mosque was in a dilapidated condition for a long time.

Minister for Tourism Syed Sardar Ali Shah visited Bhodesar Mosque along with other antiquities in Nagarpakar Has been repaired and painted, which has once again brightened the shape of the mosque. Every year during the rainy season, thousands of tourists flock to Bhodesar, the city of Nagarpakar, to see the Bhodesar Mosque, and capture in their cameras.

The memorable impressions of historical monuments built hundreds of years ago. The beautiful pond is in the form of a lake which fills up after rains and the water stays there all year-round and in the winter season exotic birds also come and camp here but due to lack of rain for the last two years, it looks empty.

The author of the book Old Parker, Magha Ram Ojha, is of the opinion that Sultan Mehmood Ghaznavi has been staying near this pond for two days and the battle between Mahmud Shah Hegray and the Sodhas also took place near this pond.

Due to the desolation of this pond it has also been called a pool of ghosts and people are afraid to pass by it. In order to save this ancient monument, water can be arranged in it and it can be turned into a beautiful lake and made a tourist destination.

In the evening, the bells of the herds of cattle returning from the middle of the Karunjhar Mountain and the sounds of the "walking" of the herdsmen are mesmerizing. The conditions of the region can be changed and thus the arrival of tourists can bring back the heights of this region rich in natural blessings.

Bhodesar - The ancient city of Nagarparker
Bhodesar - The ancient city of Nagarparker

Bhodesar - The ancient city of Nagarparker

Bhodesar - The ancient city of Nagarparker

Bhodesar - The ancient city of Nagarparker

Bhodesar - The ancient city of Nagarparker

 


Wednesday 18 March 2020

Pabbi National Forest Park - Punjab Pakistan

It's a beautiful spring day in the park. You just imagine yourself sitting on the wooden bench, the pleasant sunlight on your face, the smell of new coming leaves in your nose & the chirping sound of birds in your ears. What's one word that sums up how you feel when you spend a quiet moment in nature? Pabbi National Forest Park is a sedate and calm place on GT Road located in Sarai-Alamgir, Punjab, Pakistan.  It is an ideal and perfect place to take rest and enjoy nature.
The beautiful standing trees adding lush green beauty that will feel you a sense of calmness and relaxation. These days, life is so hectic and everyone looking for a place where they can spend some time reliving their motivations. If you are tired off of seeing the same places near Lahore or Islamabad, then you should kick-in to go to Pabbi National Park. The park design is similar to Rana Hunting Resort. However, it is a less rush area.  
This is a lovely place for a day out picnic spot. A beautiful wooden pedestrian bridge built alongside a small natural lake to accommodate visitors to reach another side of the lake. The small and slightly brackish natural lake offers extensive reed marshes and rich aquatic vegetation situated in the Pabbi National Forest Park. There are several Bar-B-Que grills that have been erected at different spots to do a grilling event for visitors. Moreover, a jogging track and walkway lead you to the hilltop to view the sunset. In the spring season, overgrown vegetations spreading all over the park.
The wooden benches and huts have been installed for the sitting arrangement of families. The park authorities have assigned guards for security to protect the families. This gorgeous natural park would be a perfect recreational opportunity for the residents of Sara-i-Alamgir and Kharaian.
What you can do at Pabbi National Forest Park?
A number of things you can do there.
  1. Natural Lake
  2. Jogging Park
  3. Walkways
  4. Wooden Benches and Huts
  5. Wildlife Sanctuary
  6. Wetland Ecosystem
  7. Rides for Kids
  8. Birds Watching
  9. Serenity & Relaxation
  10. The unique variety of rare wildlife species.
Keep in mind, don’t damage the trees, as they are precious blessing provides countless benefits. Pabbi National Park forest provides multiple benefits i.e., both to humans and animals. They help in control air temperature, generate oxygen, store carbon dioxide, entice wildlife, provide food, water with less impurity, provide different types of woods for furniture making, giving direction to the wind and its speed and keeps the environment healthy. So, be careful as these benefits cannot derive from agriculture.