Ziarat

 

       

                                                                                           

Region of Ziarat was a part of Sibi District but in 1986 it was declared to be a separate district. It is a place rich in natural beauty. It is mostly a mountainous region filled with snober forest. It contains the biggest forest of snober trees in Pakistan and second largest in the world with the area of 113,000 hectors. It is also extremely rich in wild life as well. Due to its height from sea level the region is mildly cold in summer and cover in snow in winter, it has continental climate. The people of ziarat are extremely welcoming, people visiting ziarat often mention their polite attitude and hospitality. It is land of apple fruit groves; locals often invite visitors passing by to their groves to eat apples and other fruits as much as they like. You can easily find a fruit tree in the wild as well.

Quaid Residency: -

 

Ziarat is also famous for the Quaid-e-Azam residency also known as Ziarat residency where Muhammad Ali Jinnah spend land two and half moths of his life. This place also has an history of its own, in July 2013 it became a target of a terrorist rocket attack and a lot of its structure was destroyed but it was later rebuilt and inaugurated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. It is preserved the way it used to during Jinnah’s stay. This residence also has its own art gallery consisting of some very rare pictures of    Quaid-e-Azam and his family. Many people know ziarat because of this residency. It has been given the status of national heritage.

Zero Point: -

Another famous visiting point in ziarat is zero point, it is the highest peak in ziarat, from where you can see a lot of mountain tops and view is really eye catching. The journey to zero point is also very interesting as well because it consists of very steep road, and on the way, you can find a very famous stay point, where, there is tree which is hundreds of years old and it looks exactly like it written Allah in Arabic, many people go to visit this location. The region of ziarat has a lot more to offer to its visitors but due to limited infrastructure, especially road people can’t reach to locations because to mountainous terrain.

Tips and Tricks: -

Mostly people go to ziarat from Quetta, provincial capital of Baluchistan. And its is approximately 126 Km away from Quetta which took roughly 3 hours to reach their and there are not a lot of facilities along the way, so if you are going on your own transport make sure to check air in your car tires, make sure you a spare tire and tools for any case of emergency. You should have your fuel tank full and you should also buy some food to eat along the way. It is a place worth going. Or you can book a trip through trip.pk it will be extremely economic and secondly you will not have to worry about any thing because it will be taken care off by the trip organizers. To enjoys some of the view that you normally can’t I would suggest you bring a drone with you for the ariel shot because the beauty of this terrain from the ariel view in believable. If you are travelling from Punjab or any other place to ziarat make sure that you dress and pack things according to the weather in ziarat. Apart from Ziarat city, other regions are scarcely populated, and because of rough terrain some time mobile signals don’t work their so it better if get a map or plan before hand, the locations you want to visit and plan accordingly, or hire a local tour guide.

 

The Spiritual Attraction of Swat, KPK

Swat is the district of KPK province of Pakistan. It is considered as the third largest district of KPK having population of 2,309,570. It was also considered as the Switzerland of the Pakistan due to its beautiful landscape and mountains covered with snowcaps.

History of Swat

The old name of swat was UDYANA which was then changed to SUVASTU. This land was first captured by Mahmud of Ghazni which was then taken by the Yusufzais. Majority of the local speak Pashto as their native language. They also speak Urdu to great extent. It was the princely state of Yusufzais which become the part of Pakistan after independence.

Swat valley was greatly affected by natural disasters including floods and earth quake. The 2010 flood destroyed the infrastructure and roads. The tourist points were affected badly. Before 2008 Taliban and Pakistan Army war in the region the buildings, roads and bridges were damaged. The peaceful region of swat was considered as dangerous area back in 2008. Several incidents of killing and kidnapping of foreign tourist damaged the image of swat. These incidents also force the local people to left the region and migrate to other districts of KPK.

After 2009, Pakistan Army took over the valley and restored the infrastructure, roads, bridges and schools. Slowly and gradually the peace of the valley was restored by the help of local people, government and Pakistan Army and forces.

Now Swat valley is one of the top tourism destinations in Pakistan and also in the world. The beauty attracts a lot of tourist around the world especially in winter season. In winter season, ski players all over the world visit Malamjaba for ski tournaments.

Heritage of Swat Valley

The people of swat valley are simple innocent people. They usually made handmade ornaments and embroidery shawls, bags, caps and other decorative items. The basic source of income is agriculture. They grow different fruits and vegetables. The apple of swat is famous in Pakistan. 18 different types of apples grow in swat region. People also grow strawberries peaches and oranges. Swati embroidery is also famous in swat. In past, it was the hobby of the unmarried young girls to make embroidery dresses, shawls, pillow covers, table cloth, scarves, handkerchief etc.

Heritage places to visit in Swat

There are many old heritage and famous tourist points in swat which many of us don’t know at all.

Buddhist Stupas

There are many famous archaeological sites in swat which belong to Buddhist period. There are estimated 1400 stupas and monasteries in swat. They were used for worship and religion education.

Swat Museum

There is also swat museum which contain old heritage belong to the Gandhara Civilization. It is located between the cities of Mingora and Saidu Sharif.

White Palace (Sufed Mahal)

White Palace (Sufe'd Mahal)

In Saidu Sharif there is a famous palace known as White Palace or Sufed Mahal. It was the residence of Wali before and after the independence of Pakistan. This palace contains 30 rooms. People from different region visit this beautiful palace.

Shrine of Akhund (Saidu Baba)

Saidu is called “Pious City” because of the shrine of Akhund. Saidu Baba was a religious leader who played important role in the formation of Swat. He fought many battles against the British Forces by leading the Yusufzais and other Pashtun tribes.

Every year large number of visitors and devotes visit the shrine of Saidu Baba in the Swat. 

Saidu Baba Mosque

 

Saidu Baba Mosque

 

Barikot Ghundai

It is a small town in the district of Swat, KPK. In past years, many Hindu temples were discovered there. Barikot Ghundai becomes the famous and attractive place after the discovery of 1300 years old temple. The temple was believed to be linked with the God Vishnu. It was built by Hindus more than 1300 years ago during the period of Hindu Shahi. Recently, many archeologists around the world visited the place to gather samples, traces and evidences.

 

Old Buddha

Swat is also known as “The Switzerland of Pakistan”, or “Mini Switzerland” due to its beautiful landscapes, valleys, lakes, and mountains covered with snowcaps. The detail will be shared in next article/blog.

 Hope you all enjoyed reading the article.

 

Why to visit Azad Kashmir?

After the partition of Sub-Continent in 1947, the royal States were given the choice of joining either India or Pakistan. Notwithstanding, Hari Singh, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, needed Jammu and Kashmir to stay autonomous. To delay, he consented to a stop arrangement, which evaded the understanding that each regal State would join either India or Pakistan. Considering topographical, strict and recorded connections individuals of Jammu and Kashmir state requested opportunity, all things being equal, gone into a sad trick with the Hindu initiative and consented to India. This started the freedom development of the Muslim populace of the State against the Dogra and Indian powers in Kashmir. Because of this opportunity development, a piece of the State was freed from the Dogra-cum-fadian control in October 1947, and named Azad State of Jammu and Kashmir. It has its own chosen President, Prime Minister, Legislature, High Court, Supreme Court and Official Flag.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir has an area of 13,297 kilometer square. The state of Azad Kashmir is divided in three divisions which are further divided in 10 districts. Its capital is Muzaffarabad. Its largest district by area is Neelum and biggest by population is Kotli.Sudhnati is smallest by area and Haveli is smallest by population. According to 2017 census population of Azad Kashmir is 40.05 million. According to 2017 census 99% people in Ajk are Muslims,0.6% follow Hinduism,0.3% Buddhism and 0.01% others.

The southern parts of Azad Kashmir, including the Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli regions, have amazingly blistering climate in the late spring and moderate chilly climate in the colder time of year. They get downpour for the most part in rainstorm climate. In the focal and northern pieces of the express, the climate remains decently warm in the late spring and cold and crisp in the colder time of year. Snowfall likewise happens there in December and January.

The official language of Azad Kashmir is Urdu, while English is utilized in higher areas. Most of the population, nonetheless, are local speakers of different dialects.  The transcendent among these is Pahari–Pothwari with its various dialects There are likewise sizeable networks speaking Gujari and Kashmiri just as pockets of speakers of Shina, Pashto, and Kundal Shahi. Except for Pashto and English, those dialects have a place with the Indo-Aryan language family.

Azad Kashmir is blessed with natural beauty. and has extraordinary potential for advancement of the travel industry. The beautiful excellence of its valleys, thick forests, winding rivers, fierce frothing streams, grand transcending mountains, propping Climate, historical and cultural legacy, all-encompassing shrines and celebrations and variety of verdure all go together to make it a brilliant vacationer resort. The region is full with assortment of scenes. Climbing and following destinations, trout fishing in the frozen waters of the Neelum River and the remaining parts of the Buddhist human advancement in the Sharda Valley are different spaces of vacation spot. The lovely wood work, the renowned Kashmiri handiworks, customary Kashmiri food varieties or more each of the a spotless and flawless climate presents different spaces of joy for the sightseers on this 'paradise on the planet'. The custom rich and conventional Society of AJK is additionally a subject of anthropological worth. The State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir contributes a particular cultural substance created by its kin, which is significantly unique in relation to the rest of the Sub-Continent.

 Its mountain territory and wide valleys emptied unforgiving terms on the improvement of its way of life. This is the reason individuals of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have formed into a tenacious persevering, non-forceful race which drives a straightforward and economical life. Their dances, music, dress, customs, gems, painstaking work and performing arts all are windows to their character.

The northern part of Kashmir consists of lower part of Himalayas, including Jamgrah peak (4,734m). The highest peak in the state is located in Neelum valley which is sarwali peak (6,326m). Azad Kashmir is producing gemstones and other minerals like bentonite, beryl, fluorite, garnet, hematite, limonite, margarite, mica, quartz, ruby, topaz and tourmaline. Gemstone especially Ruby which is found in Azad Kashmir is more valuable than diamond being used in the world.

Its top tourist destinations are following:

Sharda, Keran, Kel, Taobat, Red Fort, Banjosa Lake, Devi Gali, Ganga choti, Sudhan Gali, Leepa valley, Mangla lake, Ramkort fort.