Story of a Gifted Mosque

 

Faisal Mosque (Islamabad)

In the capital city of Pakistan, there is a mosque which is so elegant in its design and so beautiful in its appearance that no Mosque in the world matches such beauty. This Mosque is named as Faisal Mosque.

Faisal Mosque is located in the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad near Margla hills. The city itself is one of the top beautiful capitals of the world and the Mosque is like a Jewel in the crown.

Its history goes back to 1976 when the construction begins. The funds of $120 million for the construction was granted by Saudi King Shah Faisal thus both the mosque and the road leading to it was named after him.

Faisal Mosque

Untill 1993 it was the largest Mosque in the world with the capacity of 100,000 worshipers in the main hall and 200,000 worshippers in the surrounding areas. The design of the Mosque is inspired by a Bedouin tent. It is a unique piece of architecture and was designed by a Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay.

Inside Faisal Mosque

Faisal Mosque is also the National Mosque of Pakistan. The structure of the Mosque consist of four minarets and eight-sided shell shaped sloping roofs without any traditional domes.

It is one of the most visited Mosques of the country. Every day hundreds of tourists attract towards this place.

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Story of a Strong Fort

Rohtas Fort

Rohtas Fort is located near the city of Jehlum in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. It is a 16th century fort that still holds its magnificence, significance and grace. This fort is such a powerful structure that it was never stormed by force.

Rohtas Fort is constructed on the orders of Sher Shah Suri, a Pashtun, ruler between 1541 to 1548. The fort is unique in its style and according to UNESCO it is the exceptional example of the Muslim military architecture of Central and South Asia. The main purpose of the fort is to defend the area from the local Gakhar Tribes and to stop the path of the Mughal Empire. Due to its military architecture it was not very famous among Mughal Kings.

Unlike Mughal forts this fort do not have beautiful gardens, fountains, masterpiece buildings & beautiful palaces. It is purely a Battle Garrison and a few buildings that are present in the fort like Queen's Palace are constructed during Sikh rule in the region. There are total 12 gates in the fort. The walls of the fort are high and strong enough to tolerate the hardships of the time.

Today there is a museum along the side of one of the gates of the fort which has coins, swords and other artifacts of that era. The fort also have long stairs that goes deep towards underground Baoli. It is a wonderful place to visit if you have interest in History.

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Picture credit goes to Anonymous Photographer.

Story of a 1st Century Buddhist Monastery

Takht-e-Bahi(Throne of Origin /High Spring)

This story is about one of the most important and well preserved Buddhist Monasteries of the Gandhara period. The Monastery is located in the Mardan city of the province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. This place was once the heart of the Gandhara civilization.

As per local people the name Takht-e-bahi is because of the two wells on the hill or because of the nearby springs

 The history of this place dates back to 1st Century AD. This was proved through various inscriptions which had the name of Gondophares who was a Parthian King of the Suren family. After Gondophares the monastery remained in the control of Kujula Kadphises who was the first Kushan King.

According to researchers the place remained in use until 7th century AD. The location of this Monastery helped alot in retaining its ancient structure as compared to other Buddhist Monasteries of that period because it is located almost 500 feet atop of a small hill. Therefore, it remains safe from many destructive invaders who came to this region. 

Precisely the Takht-e-bahi complex consisted of a Stupa court, Monastic chambers, a Temple complex and Tantric monastic complex. which were used for various religious purposes.

It is also one of those places which even many Pakistanis are not aware of. I strongly recommend to visit this place as it is one of the ancient places in Pakistan.

Picture Credit goes to Anonymous Photographer.

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Story of the Sacred Hindu Temples

Katas Raj Temples

Today's Blog is about a complex of  temples built in the 11th century located near Salt range in the province of Punjab. The temples were built around a pond which is also very sacred in the Hinduism. These temples complex with other buildings include temples of  Ramchandra, Hanuman, Shiva and a Gurdwara.

According to legends two ponds were created by the tears of Shiva after the death of his wife Sati. One is in Katas raj temples and the other one is in Pushkar. Another significant attachment related to these temples were the five Pandava brothers,mentioned in Mahabharata, who spend most of their time at this site during their exile.

 Katas raj is one of the oldest religious Hindu sites in Pakistan. Before 1947 these temples were continuously visited by the Hindus. But after the partition of the subcontinent local Hindus migrated towards India and this place slowly vanishes in the pages of history. 

Recently in 2017 government ordered to renovate these temples and put them back to their former glory which I guess is a positive step towards the saving of the Indo-Pak cultural heritage. 

Today hundreds of people visit these temples and imagine what life was like during the glory days of this place.

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Story of a Fort Lost in the Desert

Derawar Fort

Pakistan is rich in cultural and historical heritage. Some of these cultural sites disapear in the pages of History while some are still finding their path into the future.

 Derawar Fort is one of the magnificent structure standing alone in the Cholistan Desert, Bahawalpur state of Pakistan. The fort was actually built by Rai Jajja Bhatti, a Rajput King of the area. But it was captured by the Nawab of Bahawalpur, Sadeq Muhammad Khan 1 in 1733 who than gave this fort the shape which today we can see.

Derawar Fort is in square shape with visible forty bastions. It has an elegant look and has a unique appearance as compared to other forts. The fort has a water pool, rooms for the royal family, a small jail and a network of underground tunnels that leads to the Nawab's Palace and other forts. 

Unfortunately due to the negligence of the government and the related authorities derawar fort is on the verge of collapse. Rooms and structures within the Derawar Fort which once represents the glory of the ruling periods of Nawabs are now long gone. The fort is deteriorating so fast that the places or underground tunnels which a decade ago can be seen, are now gone.

After all these damages still the fort attract many tourists and they imagine the days of glory which this fort passed over centuries.

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Picture credit goes to: Anonymous photographer.

Cathedral Church of the Resurrection Lahore

Cathedral Church of the Resurrection

Cathedral Church of the Resurrection is located in the city of Lahore. The church dates back to 1887. It was constructed in Lahore during the British rule. The church was originally built out of pink sandstone by the architect John Oldrid Scott who was the son of George Gilbert Scott. The Cathedral represents Neo-Gothic style of architecture and it is a wonderful piece of art.

The very first church of Lahore was constructed in 1595 on formal permission during the rule of Emperor Akbar near the Lahore fort. But it was closed in 1614 on the order of Emperor Jahangir. After 10 years the church was re-opened but fate was not in the favor of this church and sadly it was demolished  in 1632 on the orders of Emperor Shah Jahan. Two centuries later the church was again established in Lahore by the British and named it Cathedral Church of the Resurrection.

Today the Cathedral is the center of Lahore Diocese which was craved out of the Diocese of Calcutta in 1877. The diocese of Calcutta was the largest Anglican diocese in the South Asia. 

In the original design the church was to have eight bells but only six can arrive from England which were install in 1903. The weight of the largest bell is almost a ton and was used to vibrate the foundations.

The treasures of the church includes an ancient Saint Thomas cross which was found near the ancient city of Sirkap. Other important things includes a pipe organ and a clock dated back to 1862.

Photo credit goes to Salman Rashid

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Delhi Gate of Lahore

 Delhi Gate

Delhi gate is one the thirteen gates of Lahore city. Many of them are completely destroyed by the British in 1857. The walls that covered the city were also completely destroyed along with the gates. Delhi gate was reconstructed in the 19th Century during British Raj. 

The gate is a route to many historical monuments like Shahi Hamam and Wazir Khan Mosque which are present at the the walking distance from the gate. The gate and the related monuments are put back to its old glory by Agha Khan Cultural Service Pakistan with the fundings of the Government of Norway.

In the reign of Mughal Emperors the Gate served as a main entrance to the city of Lahore. It is one of the remaining six gates that somehow survived British era. There was a Gun (Zamzama Gun) at the Delhi Gate which was relocated to its current location which is now in front of Lahore Museum on the Mall Road.

Zamzama Gun

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Food Street Lahore

Food Street Lahore

Place I selected to discuss today is very unique and somehow one of the most visited sites of  Lahore. Food Street Lahore is a place where one can enjoy different cultural and continental foods. This is the most growing trend in Pakistan. Food streets are present in almost all the metropolitan cities of Pakistan. Now you can imagine how much we love food. 

You will be amazed to read that the history of this Food street or you can say Fort Road dated back to 2012. Yes 2012!!. It is also called Fort Road as it is located opposite to Lahore Fort and Shahi Mosque in the old Walled city of Lahore. The very first food street of Pakistan is located in Gawalmandi Lahore. But due to the increase pressure of Foodies on the area roads government inaugurated this Food Street and give it a unique design. This idea works and a lot of people shifted to this place. 

Food here is really Yumm.. What is love about this place is the view of Shahi Mosque from the gallery of restaurants at night. It is like I am in a different world.

I have tasted many things from this place. My personal favorite restaurant here is "Haveli". "Chicken Karahi" of this place is really really tasty. Do visit this place if you ever visit Lahore. This isn't something which u miss on your tour to Lahore.

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Story of a Lost Heritage

Chauburji (Four Towers)

The story which I have today is about one of the historical monuments in Pakistan which are speedily disappearing from our sight. Chauburji is one of those monuments. The word Chauburji derives from two words Chau means "Four" and Burj means "Tower". The name Chauburji was likely given by upcoming generations due to its structure. It is a Mughal era structure which basically works as a gateway for an extensive garden. In the present time there are no traces of any garden probably because the area was flooded by the river Ravi. Untill recent years this building was in the center of a grassy roundabout but not any more. 

This monument is especially one of my favorites because of its unique and elegant design. The art work on the building is amazing and I have many memories related to this structure. I was completely shocked when after so many years I saw the place. Believe me, that was not a happy shock. That was one bad and sad shock. This story is about that one bad day which I guess almost everybody faces in their lives (like I already told in my previous blog that I live in Lahore for study and work purposes).

 The roads here in Lahore are always busy and sometimes there is a lost rush on the roads and mostly on signals To avoid this government had made so many underpasses and flyovers that for a new person it is like a Jungle of Flyovers going here and there for no purpose. Sometimes I too lost my way and it create so much trouble.

 So back to the story I was telling about my bad day. Technically it was the night I was coming back from somewhere when suddenly I found my self completely lost I do not know whether I took a wrong turn or something else. I was just lost and the place where I reached I do not know about that too so I decided to turn back and see where I lost my way. I reached back to an intersection and realized that this is the place from where I took wrong turn. Now I started moving on another direction but after sometime this direction started feeling strange too. I said to my heart "All is Well" but deep deep down I know nothing the Hell is Well.

 Suddenly I saw this massive structure which I remembered from my childhood but this time it was nothing like I remembered. The building which I had seen in my childhood is more like this.

But it was nothing like this when I saw it in the night. There was NO grassy garden. Leave grassy, there was no garden. Huge piles of soil were all over the place. The structure which once stand alone in dignity and represents the power of Mughal era was now like an old building trying to survive in its last days. This reminds me of what I heard in news that government is building a new flyover for Orange line Train and it passes near the historical places. I never thought that it was that much near. This was the last time I saw the place. Since that I am unable to find enough  courage withing myself to visit the place once more.

For those who are thinking what happens with me and my bad day. So here it is what happens. I move back to the intersection and realized it was not the paths it was the intersection which was wrong. So the third time I came back from the intersection and move to the right direction. Two Times People!! I lost Two Times in that single night. Two tragedies I face on that day. First I lost my way two times and Second I saw my favorite structure in this condition.

 Haaawww a bad day indeed. 

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Journey To A 64 Meter (210 ft) Long Mysterious Grave

Grave of Hazrat Qanbeet Ibn Adam (A.S)

The place which I have for today's blog is neither a Fort or Mughal era structure nor a place people visit on their holidays. This place is a Tomb or you can say Mausoleum of Qanbeet Son of Adam (Peace be upon him). Now you people are thinking which Adam? Some ordinary Man or a Saint. But No, this is "The Adam" Yes the First Human being on Earth. Well, I was surprised to hear that too and I personally wanted to visit the place and see with my own eyes. So, today I have a story of my journey to a mysterious Tomb. 

(In short, I live in Lahore for study and work purposes but my hometown is Gujranwala which is located 64 Km away from Lahore). So, yesterday in the early morning when I was coming back home from Lahore I received a phone call from my Father and he asked that we have a plan to visit Islamabad today. Can you come? It was a surprise and I was very excited. I told him that I am on my way and will be home soon. He said, that is good. See you than.

When I reached home I was told by my Mother that the plan for Islamabad was cancelled and now we are going to visit Mangla Lake. I was like Whhhhaaattttttttttttttt?????? This was another surprise for me and I was more excited to visit Lake because I have seen it a long time ago and wanted to see it again (For your reference both Islamabad and Mangla Lake are worth watching places and will write about these places in coming blogs. I am Just sharing pictures of these places so that you can understand the reason of my excitement)

Islamabad

Mangla Lake

Now come back to the story, as I was telling that plan for Islamabad changed and now we started our journey for the lake. On the half way to the lake my Father changed the plan, we take a single turn and now we are moving to a complete different place. This was the third surprise for me in that single day. Surprise plans like this runs in our family. Father told us about the place. I already heard about that before but never saw it before so again I was excited for the place. The place itself was not a fairy meadow or a eye catching sight. It was a village with the name of "Barela Sharif" near to the city of Gujrat where a 210 ft long grave is present which is referred as the grave of Qanbeet Ibn Adam (Peace be upon him).

Barela Sharif

Although by name Qanbeet (Peace be upon him) is not mentioned in the Holy Quran or Hadith. After some research I found a reference of this place and grave in a book "Gujrat Tareekh k Aainay Mai" (Gujrat in the mirror of History). There was a lot of  information about not only this grave but also graves of other Prophets in Pakistan. According to the book, the grave was first discovered by Hafiz Shams-ud-din Galyanwi, who once during his journey stayed in Barela Sharif. During his stay here he said to his followers that he can smell a strange fragrance from the woodland indeed there is a grave of a Prophet. Than he discovered the grave almost 220 yards from the village. He discovered the name through "Ilm e Kashf ul Qaboor" (A way of getting in touch with the people of the grave). Hafiz Shams was a Waliullah of his time. In his writings he said "why would I need to lie about this place". People who later came than build a structure around the grave.

Inside the Mausoleum there is 210 ft long grave covered with pieces of cloths on which different Verses from Quran were written. The floor and the structure was covered with white marble and at the center of the building there was a dome with mirror work. Along the side of a mausoleum there was also other graves of Saints and Martyr and a mosque "Mosque of martyrs". named after the Martyrs of 1965 War between India and Pakistan who stayed and fight from this place.

One thing which I feel too was the peace of this place. Whole place was so peaceful and comfy. Light and cool breeze was blowing all over the place. Other than this at some distance from the Tomb there is a wonderful neat and clean place where free rooms for night stay and meal is served three times a day. There were no charges for anything not even parking charges. Taking pictures was not allowed at this specific place and there were security cameras all over the place. So, I was unable to take any pictures. We came back near the sunset.

It was a nice and different experience. I personally can not reach to a point about the authenticity of this place. 

Allah knows best.

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

                  

Hiran Minar (The Deer Tower)

Hiran Minar (The Deer Tower)

Hiran Minar is located in Sheikhupura a city in the northwest of Lahore. The minaret was build in the memory of the loving antelope of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. This Minaret represents the love of Mughal Emperors with their pets. Unlike modern days Mughals have a unique taste in selecting their pets. For example, Mughal Emperor Akbar (Father of Jahangir) has an Elephant as his pet. and he love him a lot. 

The basic structure of the minaret is quite simple but it was extended by the son of Emperor Jahangir, Shah Jahan who build a water tank and a pavilion in the center of the pool. This was a hunting site for the Royal family. The octagonal pavilion was also used as a recreational site for the Emperors. Interestingly like other Mughal era structures this is not famous for its structural design or beautiful architecture instead it is famous for the love of an Emperor with his pet.

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Minar-e-Pakistan (The Tower of Pakistan)

Minar-e-Pakistan

Minar-e-Pakistan also known as the "Tower of Pakistan" is located near the old Walled city of Lahore and close to Badshahi Mosque (Emperor Mosque) in the province of Punjab. The structure is not as such a Historical structure or from the era of Kings. The structure started building in 1960 and was completed in 1968 in eight years at a cost of approximately Rs. 7 million. The importance of this monument is because it is the very place where on 23rd March 1940 All India Muslim League passed the Resolution of Lahore. A separate homeland for the Muslims of  Sub-continent. 

Minar-e-Pakistan is like an icon of Independence for the citizens of Pakistan. The monument is like open petals of a flower. The caption on the walls of the Tower includes the statements of Lahore Resolution in Urdu, Bengali and English, Some Verses from the Holy Quran, 99 names of Allah, National Anthem of Pakistan and the speeches of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

 It is connected with a park which is also known as Greater Iqbal Park, named after Allama Muhammad Iqbal who saw the dream of a separate homeland. Inside the park there is an artificial Lake with a series of dancing fountains. Everyday the place is crowded with people from all over the country who came to see this soul touching place and of course the Dancing Fountains too.

Long Live Pakistan.  

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Shalimar Gardens

Shalimar Gardens

Shalimar Gardens often spell as Shalamar Gardens is a Master piece of Royal engineers of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It was constructed in one year from 1641 to 1642 which in itself is something beyond words at that time. 

The land of these Gardens belong to Arian Family of Baghbanpura. The family was awarded with the title of "Mian" by Shah Jahan because of their services for the Mughal Empire. The head of the family Mian Muhammad Yusuf submitted their property after continuous pressure by the state. But all did not go in vain. As a favour, Emperor Shah Jahan hand over the Governance of the Shalimar Gardens to the Arian Mian Family which remains in their family for approximately 350 years until 1962.

The whole place is consisted of green gardens, fountains and different structures and all this is surrounded by a big wall having Minarets at the corners. The gardens are divided into three terraces each at the same height from the other and have their names.

The Upper garden is known as "Farah Baksh" means Bestower of Pleasure.

The Mid level is known as "Faiz Baksh" means Bestower of Goodness.

The Lower garden is known as "Hayat Baksh" means Bestower of Life. 

Shalimar Garden has total 410 fountains. This distribution of canal system still amaze that how engineers at that time think of this without modern technology. 

The distribution of the fountains at each level is as follows.

Upper level terrace have 105 fountains.

Mid Level terrace have 152 fountains.

Lower level terrace have 153 fountains.

Thus making a total of 410 fountains. Other than these, different structures like Aiwan (The Grand hall), Hamman (The Royal bath), Aramgah (The Resting place), Diwan-e-Khas-o-Aam (The Hall of special and ordinary guests of the Emperor) and Baradaries (The summer pavilions to enjoy cool breeze along the nearby fountains) etc. 

My most favorite area in the whole gardens is the one where White Marble Throne is placed. The throne is placed in the center and in front of the throne is a series of fountains and eye catching structures. 

Each time when I visit this place I wonder what people at those times know about architecture. Each part of the whole place shows the hard work and the dedication of the labor who worked at this site. After all, this can't be possible without their efforts. 

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com

Shahi Fort (Lahore Fort)

Shahi Fort 

Shahi Fort, also named as Lahore Fort was constructed by Mughal Emperor Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar in his reign. With the passage of time this fort was modified by the coming rulers. This Fort has 13 gates and contain many beautiful structures which attract so many people.

This old Fort saw many battles over centuries and still has their marks on it. After the fall of Mughal Empire this fort become the residency of Maharaja Ranjit singh.

Shahi Fort has many remarkable monuments which give us a glimpse of that era. Some of them are Sheesh Mahal, Alamgiri Gate, Motti Masjid and the Picture Wall.

Sheesh Mahal

Sheesh Mahal or "The Palace of Mirrors" was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan. The palace is fully covered with mirror work and also known as the best place to visit in Lahore Fort. After Mughal Empire and during Sikh Empire Sheesh Mahal was also one of the favorite places of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Alamgiri Gate 

Alamgiri Gate is a renowned monument because of its elegant design and its location. It was constructed by the last strong King of the Mughal era “Aurangjaib Alamgir”. This gate is in front of the Hazuri bagh (another little yet beautiful monument) and faces the front gate of Badshahi Mosque.

Motti Masjid

Motti Masjid (Pearl Mosque), the name given after its white marble structure. This little Mosque  is located on the western side of the Lahore Fort. This beautiful Mosque has three domes and dated back to Shah Jahan Period.

Picture Wall

Picture Wall was constructed on the orders of Emperor Jahangir which is the greatest artistic example in the Lahore Fort. The pictures are mainly consist of fighting elephants, angels and games. These pictures do not give a combine view so you have to view each separately. Time has damaged this Artistic symbol a lot. Now its just a simple wall which has some traces of that wall which once told the tales of glories of that era.

I personally visited this place a couple of times but still I do not miss any chance to see this Fort as it reminds me the Good and Bad stories which this Fort once was a part of.

Please share your memories & videos about this awesome place and inform me about your suggestions at wonderlustpak@gmail.com