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

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

Badshahi Mosque (Lahore)

                 

Emperor's Mosque

Badshahi Mosque (Red Beauty) is Located in Lahore. It was constructed in 1671 on the instructions of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. 

This Mosque is one of the main Tourist attraction sites in Lahore. Its red look is due to the use of red sand stone and white marble inlay in the construction. The three main domes and the architectural design of the Mosque itself tell stories about the knowledge of architecture at that time. Currently Badshahi Mosque is one of the largest mosques in Pakistan. The view around the mosque is one of its kind as it is exactly in front of the Shahi fort.  

Inside the Mosque the arches and walls were decorated with red sand stone and white marble inlay contrary to tile work which makes it different from rest of the mosques built in that era. Another reason that attract too many tourist at this place is the mausoleum of Alama Iqbal (Poet of East) which was a major inspiration in the Movement of Pakistan.


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

Wazir Khan Mosque(Lahore)

Wazir Khan Mosque (Lahore)

Wazir Khan Mosque, a cultural beauty located near Dehli Gate of Lahore. It was built by Nawab Wazir Khan the Governor of Lahore during the ruling period of Emperor Shah Jahan.

I have never seen the Mosque personally until recently when one of my friends made a plan to visit this beauty. It was just stunning to see a structure so big and still holds its magnificence and grace. The mosque was beautifully preserved and well maintained. The art work, use of different colors and Verses from Quran was all amazing. The best time to see its artistry is the mid afternoon time, when the Sun light hits the inner walls. At this time the Mosque shines like a structure of Gold. Although time leaves its marks on the structure but still it is one the beautiful places to see if you ever visit Lahore!

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