Shehr-e-Roghan (Gondrani Caves)

Shehr-e-Roghan (Gondrani Caves)

 Shehr-e-Roghan  or Gondrani caves are found near Bela city in Balochistan province of Pakistan.These caves are located at a distance of 18 kms from Bela and 175 kms from Karachi. These are ruins of ancient and mythical town, which were built in 7th century. During the era of  British rule there were about 1500 caves but now a days barely 500 caves are left.To reach these mysterious caves, a gravel road from Bela city headed towards a small stream, whose sides are surrounded with hundreds of cave houses.

These caves are built in several levels. Pathway connect together the caves. The caves are consisted of one small room with hearths and wall niches for lamps. There are also some with front porch. The ceilings are all darkened from wood smoke.

There are many local mystical lengends. Some says it is a city of jinns, while others claim that this was a was a huge Buddhist monastery because 1000 yrs before Buddhism had flourished in this area.

There is another legend about this was the city There was a king who had beautiful daughter during the reign of King Solomon. Her name was Badiul Jamal.. She was agonized by six hideous demons who attempted to carry her off. Seven heroes came to her rescue, but all died trying to save her. Then prince Saif-ul-Muluk ride into the scene, conquered the demons and free the princess.

FORT MUNRO

Fort Munro is a hill station in Dera Ghazi Khan District, Punjab, Pakistan. The station lies on the Quetta Road 85 km from the city of Dera Ghazi Khan  and is about 185 kilometres from Multan in the Sulaiman Mountains.Its elevation is 1800 meters (6,470 feet) above sea level and it attracts many people for short stays during the hot summer. Fort Munro is called Nimroo in the local Balochi language.

Fort Munro was built as a hill station by the British and is still the only such resort in south Punjab. It’s named after a Generall Munro, at one time commissioner of DG Khan. during the British reign before Pakistani independence.

The area is known for mangoes and also for its cool resort in summer for the people living in south, Punjab.

There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Fort Munro. Places of interest nearby include Dames Lake, the mountain Ganji Pahari, and the British Graveyard. Girdu is an adventurous route to reach Fort Munro. Ganji Pahari is a famous mountain.Dames Lake is an excellent lake with boating facility.Trimon Fall is a magical fall in mountains. The water is very cold and falls into a bowl cut out from stone. It is a legend that one sufi saint named Ali Muhammad Laghari made this bowl for people to drink water. Water droplets tricke down on the small narrow path on a number of places. Jheel is another lake with beautiful view. There is Children Park with majestic viewpoint of the valley.

Fort Munro can be reached either from Loralai (Balochistan) or from Multan (Punjab).It attracts many people for short stays during the summer. But in almost empty in winters.There is  breathtaking drive up onto the Balochistan plateau.  

SULEIMAN MOUNTAINS RANGE (Baluchistan- Pakistan)

The Suleiman Mountains are located in Baluchistan, the largest province of Pakistan. Baluchistan is approximately 347,190 square kilometers. Baluchistan is a land of contrast. It has places with rugged mountains and plains stretching hundreds of miles.

Baluchistan is located on a plateau in the west of Suleiman and Khirthar mountain ranges. The Suleiman Mountains are a major geological feature of northern Baluchistan province of Pakistan. It is the bordering region between the Iranian Plateau and the Indian subcontinent.  Bordering the Suleiman Range to the north are the arid highlands of the Hindu Kush.

The Suleiman Mountain Ranges continue from south of Gomal River, lie between Baluchistan Plateau and the Indus Plains. On reaching the Murre-Bugti Hills, they turn northwarBaluchistand and extend up to Quetta. Quetta is situated at elevation of 1677 meters (5500 ft) above sea level. Quetta is one of the best known tourist resort and also provincial capital of Baluchistan. It is Pakistan’s only largest high-altitude major city, known as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan".  The Suleiman mountain range is east of Quetta (Pakistan), overlooking the plain of the Indus river.  It is named Kowhai Suleiman. This mountain range is related to the Prophet of God, Hazrat Suleiman. Who climbed this mountain and looked out over the land of South Asia, which was then covered with darkness - but he turned back without descending into this new frontier, and left only the mountain which is named after him. Further south, Suleiman mountain range meets the Kirthar Mountains, which merge in to the Kohistan area of Sindh. The Suleiman Mountains rise to an average height of 600 m that decreases southward.

The highest peak of Suleiman Mountains is Takht-e-Suleiman which means Solomon’s Throne. The famous mountain peaks in the Suleiman range are Takht-e-Suleiman 3,483 meters (11,427 ft), Koh-i-Takatu 3,472 metres (11,391 ft), Kaisargarh 3,444 metres (11,299 ft), and Giandari. The mountain range enters in Punjab in Dera Ghazi Khan District and approaches the Indus River near in Rajanpur district.

Local inhabitants believe that Prophet Suleiman, by exercising his miraculous power, had confined those mischievous Jinns inside it who had refused to obey his command. The evil-spirited Jinns are supposed to remain imprisoned almost all the year, and in Safar, the second month of the Islamic calendar, they are allowed to go free for a while.

Badshahi Mosque(Lahore- Pakistan)

The Badshahi Mosque is situated in the city of Lahore in province of Punjab, Pakistan.

It is the second largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and the fifth largest mosque in the world. This Fabulous grandeur mosque is Lahore's most famous and renowned landmark and a major tourist attraction.

The meaning of Badshahi Mosque is 'King's Mosque' in english.The Badshahi Mosque was built by sixth great Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir. It started in in 1671 and completed in 1673. Construction of the Badshahi Mosque was begun in May 1671. Construction took about two years and was completed in April 1673. The construction work was carried out under the supervision of Aurangzeb's foster brother, Muzaffar Hussain also known as Fidai Khan Koka He was appointed Governor of Lahore by Aurangzeb in May 1671 to specifically supervise the building of the Mosque and held that post until 1675. He was also Master of Ordnance to Aurangzeb. On the main gateway entrance of the Badshahi Mosque inscribed in a marble tablet the following words in Persian are: “The Mosque of Abul Muzaffar Muhy-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir, Victorious King, constructed and completed under the superintendence of the Humblest Servant of the Royal Household, Fidai Khan Koka, in 1084 A.H”.

Badshahi Mosque was completed in 1673. After its completion it was not only the largest mosque in the Mughal Empire, but also the largest mosque in the world. It was also one of the largest buildings in the Mughal Empire and the world.  This record continued for 313 years until 1986 it was overtaken, when Faisal mosque in Islamabad become the largest mosque of the world.

The Badshahi Mosque was built opposite the Lahore Fort.The gateway of this old fort opens towards the courtyard of the mosque. It was constructed on a raised platform to avoid flooding. The Mosque's foundation and structure was constructed using bricks and compacted clay. The structure was then adorned with red sandstone tiles brought from a stone quarry near Jaipur in Rajasthan and its domes were embellished with white marbles. The amazing symmetry of the three giant white marble domes capping the many arches of the mosque is a marvel of harmony in masonry. A vast courtyard characteristic of Mughal architecture in bounded on all corners by four towering minarets of red sandstone. Near a few steps leading to the courtyard is the Mausoleum of Allam Iqbal, the great philosopher poet who first conceived the idea of Pakistan.

The Government of Pakistan has established a small museum inside the Main Gateway Entrance of the Mosque. It contains relics of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his cousin and son in law Hazrat Ali and his daughter Hazrat Fatimah.

The steps leading to the Main Prayer Hall and its floor are in variegated marble (Sang-e-Alvi). The Main Prayer Hall is very deep and divided into seven sections by means of rich engraved arches supported on heavy piers. Three of which bear the double domes finished externally in white marble and have superb curvature. The remaining four sections are roofed with flat domes.

The exterior is decorated with stone carving as well as marble inlay on red sandstone, especially of loti form motifs in bold relief. The walls were built with small kiln-burnt bricks but have a surface of red sandstone. The steps leading to the prayer chamber and its podium are in variegated marble. There are only two inscriptions in the Mosque. One is on the main gateway entrance and other of Kalimah in the prayer chamber under the main high vault.

Dimensions of Badshahi Mosque:

Courtyard: area: 278,784 sq ft (25,899.9 m²) {the world's largest mosque courtyard}

Prayer Chamber: area: 22,825 sq ft (2,120.5 m²))

4 Corner Minarets: 176 ft 4 in (53.75 m) high and 67 ft (20 m) in circumference, are in four stages and have a contained staircase with 204 steps

Central Dome: Diameter 65 ft (20 m) at bottom (at bulging 70 ft 6 in (21.49 m)); height 49 ft (15 m); pinnacle 24 ft (7.3 m) and neck 15 ft (4.6 m) high.

2 Side Domes: Diameter 51 ft 6 in (15.70 m) (at bulging 54 ft (16.46 m)); height 32 ft (9.8 m); pinnacle 19 ft (5.8 m); neck 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) high.

Gateway: 66 ft 7 in (20.29 m) x 62 ft 10 in (19.15 m) x 65 ft (20 m) high including domelets; vault 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m) x 32 ft 6 in (9.91 m) high. Its three-sided approach steps are 22 in number.

The Badshahi Mosque had elevated Lahore to greater political, economic and cultural importance in the Mughal Empire. The mosque symbolizes the splendor, dignity and grandeur of the Mughal era The Mosque is huge and majestic in its appearance. It is an impressive and marvelous symbol of Mughal architecture.

Faisal Mosque (Islamabad Pakistan)

                                        

FAISAL MOSQUE

Faisal Mosque is the National Mosque of Pakistan It is located in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. The mosque is the largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and one of the largest mosques in the world.  It is claimed to be the fourth largest mosque of the world.

The enormous shah Faisal Mosque situated at the foot of the Margala Hills the westernmost foothills of the Himalayas Range.is, superbly sited.  It is placed at the north end of Faisal Avenue and positioning it at the northernmost end of the city.

Unlike traditional mosque design, Faisal Mosque lacks a dome. It represents an eight faceted desert ‘tent’ supported on four giant concrete girders and surrounded by four concrete minarets which looks like rockets. The minarets are thin and pencil like. The minarets borrow their design from Turkish tradition. The Minarets are the tallest minarets in South Asia.

Faisal Mosque has a covered area of 5,000 m2 (54,000 sq ft.  The mosque can hold large number of devotees at a time. It can accommodate 10,000 worshippers in its main prayer hall, 24,000 in its porticoes, 40,000 in its courtyard and another 200,000 in its adjoining grounds. Faisal Mosque has the third largest capacity of accommodating worshippers in its adjoining grounds.

Faisal Mosque main prayer hall is very large and triangular in shape. The Mosque has four Minarets and are 90 meters (295 ft)) high.and measure 10 x 10 m in circumference.

The interior of main prayer hall holds a very large chandelier and its walls are decorated with mosaics and calligraphy.The mosaic pattern adorns the west wall, and has the kalimah written in early Kufic script, repeated in mirror image pattern. Calligraphy is written by the famous and internationally renowned Pakistani artist Sadequain.

The Shah Faisal Mosque is named after the late King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, who supported and financed the project.  The road leading to mosque is also after his name.In 1966 late King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz visited officially to Pakistan. He supported the initiative of the Pakistani Government to build a national mosque in Islamabad .The motivation to build a grand mosque began than.

The Faisal Mosque is the work of famous Turkish architect, Vedat Dalokay who won the Aga Khan Architectural Award with this project.In the year of 1969, an international competition was held in which architects from 17 different countries submitted 43 proposals. Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay's design was selected for the mosque. But the construction of the mosque began in 1976 by National Construction of Pakistan. It was led by Azim Khan and was funded by the government of Saudi Arabia.. The mosque was completed in 1986.

 

Underneath the courtyard, is a building housing the International Islamic University, museum, Press Centre, lecture hall, library, cafeteria and the offices of the Shariat Faculty of the Islamic University.

The Faisal Mosque is of Contemporary Islamic style and one of the most outstanding and modern Islamic architecture of the world. It architecture is unique and diverse from South Asian Islamic architecture. It is symbol of outstanding and stylish architecture. It is marvelous and breathtaking mosque of Pakistan.

BIARCHEDI PEAK (PAKISTAN)

The Biarchedi peak is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. This mountain lies in Karakoram range with the Coordinates 35°42′11.32″N 76°24′36.86″E / 35.7031444°N 76.4102389°E / 35.7031444; 76.4102389. The altitude of Biarchedi peak is 6,781 m (22,247 ft).

Biarchedi Peak is a mountain peak on the south of the Baltoro Glacier. Near this peak is Godwin Austin Glacier. In its southwest is Masherbrum peak (7,806 m) and in its east is the Mitre Peak (6,010 m). In its northeast is the Biarchedi Glacier that flows north into the Baltoro Glacier.

The climb to Biarchedi Peak is difficult task due to snow and slop of the peak and storms often take place.

The Biarchedi peak can be approached via the important Balti town of Skardu. Skardu (2500 m.) is the capital of Baltistan and gateway to the high peaks of Northern Pakistan.

Biarchedi Glacier (Pakistan)

Pakistan Glaciers cover an area of about 13,680 square kilometers Some of the glaciers can be 2500m-5000m in thickness and run more than 60km long. The total length of glaciers on the part of Karakoram in Pakistan is above 6160 square meters. These glaciers contain breathtaking scenic beauty and   provide an excellent view of highest mountains of the world. The sight of the pinnacles is stunning.

 

The Biarchedi Glacier is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. It. flows through part of the Karakoram Mountains.

 

The Biarchedi Glacier is located on the northeast of Biarchedi Peak in Pakistan. It flows north into the Baltoro Glacier. The Baltoro Glacier is 62 kilometers long and it is one of the longest glaciers outside the Polar Regions.  Baltoro is noted as the main trough glacier and several large tributary glaciers feed the main Baltoro glacier. All of the smaller glaciers that flow into the main trough are considered tributary glaciers. Biarchedi Glacier is one of those glaciers which stream into the Baltoro Glacier.

 

Biarchedi Peak is a mountain peak at the elevation of 6,781 m (22,247 ft) which is on the south of the Baltoro Glacier. In its southwest is Masherbrum (7,806 m) and in its east is the Mitre Peak (6,010 m). In its northeast is the Biarchedi Glacier.

 

The Biarchedi Glacier can be approached via the important Balti town of Skardu.

Skardu (2500 m.) is the capital of Baltistan and gateway to the high peaks of Northern Pakistan.. This area exemplifies "continents in collision" with four of the world's greatest mountain ranges Himalaya, Karakoram, Hindukush and Pamir

NANGA PARBAT (9th highest mountain of the world)

Pakistan boasts number of mountains peaks. Nanga Parbat is the ninth highest mountain of the world located in the in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. It is also Pakistan’s 2^nd highest peak, first is K2.  It is at the elevation of 8,126 meters (26,660 ft . It has Coordinates: 35°14′15″N 74°35′21″E/ 35.2375°N 74.58917°E. The Prominence of Nanga Parbat  is 4,608 m (15,118 ft) which is Ranked 14^th in the world. Nanga Parbat is included in the list of the Eight-Thousanders.( The eight-thousanders are the fourteen independent mountains on Earth that are more than 8,000 metres (26,247 ft) high above sea level. They are all located in the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges in Asia)

Nanga Parbat means "Naked Mountain" in English. Parpat means "mountain, rock", and nanga means "naked". It’s original and appropriate name, however, is Diamir, which means “the King of the Mountains”. Nanga Parbat is also called the “Killer Mountain”.

 

Nanga Parbat was one of the deadliest of the eight-thousanders for climbers in the first half of the twentieth century. Lot of mountaineers had died on Nanga Parbat.  It has claimed a heavy toll of human lives of mountaineers, who were in search of adventure and thrill. Its sufferers have included those in search of new and absolutely un-climbed routes leading to its summit. Although with time it has been less deadly but still the climbing is harder and very time consuming. Nanga Parbat has an extremely serious and hazardous climb and been connected with tragedies and tribulations. Amongst the highest mountains Nanga Parbat being one of the most feared mountains in the world.

The Himalayas are a great mountain range. The Nanga Parbat massif is the western corner pillar of the Himalayas. It is a huge, remarkable peak that rises far above its surrounding terrain. It is a massive peak. One can never get enough of the sight of Nanga Parbat, due to its hugeness. Nanga Parbat has tremendous vertical relief over local terrain in all directions. The mountain is glorious and eye-catching with its vast face of ice-hung precipices. It lies just south of the Indus River in the Astore District of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan administered Kashmir and  is an isolated range of peaks that rises far above its surrounding terrain. Not far to the north is the western end of the Karakoram Range.

The center of Nanga Parbat is a long ridge trending southwest-northeast. The edge is an enormous bulk of ice and rock. Nanga Parbat has three vast faces. First the Rakhiot (Ra Kot) face, second the Diamir face and third the Rupal face.  

 

The first face Rakhiot (Ra Kot) is dominated by the north and south silver rock faces and silver plateau  Main ridge arc is northeast at Rakhiot Peak (7,070 m / 23,196 ft). Rakhiot Flank rises 7,000 m (23,000 ft) from the Indus River valley to the peak in just 27 km (16.8 miles). It is one of the 10 greatest elevation gains in so short a distance on Earth.

The second face, Diamir face” is rocky in the beginning than it converts itself into ice fields around Nanga Parbat peak.

The third face “Rupal face” is the highest precipice in the world. Every one who has ever stood at the foot of this face (4500 meters) up above the 'Tap Alpe', studied it or flown over it, could not help but have been amazed by its sheer size, it has become known as the highest rock and ice wall in the world   It is the highest mountain face in the world.The Rupal Face rises 4,600 m (15,000 ft) above its base. Near the base of the Rupal Face is a beautiful glacial lake called Latbo, above a seasonal shepherds' village of the same name.

Easiest route to climb Nanga parbat peak is Diamir (West) Face. This route is now the standard route on the mountain. The middle of the Diamir Face is endangered by avalanches from massive hanging glaciers.

Nanga Parbat was first climbed on July 3, 1953 by Austrian climber Hermann Buhl, a member of a German-Austrian team. Buhl is the only man to have made the first ascent of an 8000 m peak alone. The climbing had being harder and more time consuming. Buhl‘s companions had turned back. Buhl continued alone. His descent was slowed because he was trapped by darkness and was exhausted by standing upright on a narrow ledge, holding a small handhold with one hand. He dozed from time to time, but managed to maintain his balance. He was also very fortunate to have a calm night, so he was not subjected to wind chill. He finally reached his high camp the next day, 40 hours after setting out. But finally he made the attempt and recorded his name in the history to be a person that made the first ascent of an 8000 m peak alone.

Only two peaks in the world rank in the top twenty of both the highest mountains in the world, and the most prominent peaks in the world. They are Nanga Parbat and Mount Everest only. Nanga Parbat ranking is ninth and fourteenth. Mount Everest is first on both lists.

 

Nanga Parbat have difficult and dangerous climb due to its more inclement weather. The mountain is threatened by avalanches and severe storm. It had claimed more lives than any others mountain. Therefore it is nickname by “Killer Mountain”. Nanga Parbat has never been climbed in winter.

BIAFO GLACIER (3rd Largest Glacier of the world)

 

The Biafo Glacier is located in Pakistan in the Karakoram Mountains of the Northern Areas. The Biafo Glacier is the world's third longest glacier outside of the Polar Regions (Arctic and Antarctica). It is 63 km long glacier.

Biafo Glacier is place in remote and isolated area. It is located in Baltistan –Gilgit region of Pakistan This region boast number of mountains peaks and huge glaciers. Biafo Glacier meets Hispar Glacier at an altitude of 5,128 m (16,824 feet) at Hispar La (Pass). Hispar Glacier is 49 km long. The traverse uses 51 of the Biafo Glacier's 63 km and 49 km of the Hispar Glacier to form a 100 km glacial route. This highway of ice connects two ancient mountain kingdoms, Nagar, immediately south of Hunza in the west with Baltistan in the east. Biafo Glacier is towards the northwest of the Baltoro Glacier.

At the base of Hispar Pass on its eastern edge lies Snow Lake. It is a basin of ice located 16,000 feet (4,877 m) above sea level and is approximately 10 miles (16 km) wide surrounded by granite pinnacles. The ice is found to be approximately 1.6 km. deep. Some go as far as to say that Snow Lake represents the last of the original ice cap in the earth's temperate zones. Snow Lake basin lies at the head of the Biafo and Hispar glaciers, which spread down from the Hispar Pass in opposite directions, forming a 61 mile (100 km) river of ice that is among the world's longest continuous glacier systems outside the polar region (Arctic and Antarctica). Snow Lake, consisting of parts of the upper Biafo Glacier and its tributary glacier Sim Gang, is one of the world's largest basins of snow or ice in the world outside of the polar. Snow Lake is very difficult to reach. One has to travel a miles of glacier without setting a foot on earth. The trek is covered in ten to fifteen days. But Snow Lake is a magical place. It presents a stunning site, a site that is out of the world. On one hand there is the might and majesty of numerous peaks and on the other hand the huge snow covered white land. The view of stars in the sky at night is amazing. It can be an unforgettable experience for those who love nature and unique beauty.

The Biafo Glacier presents a trekker with several days of very strenuous and often frenzied boulder leaping. The trek is on rocks and snow most of the time. It contains crevasses. The trek is full of spectacular and continuously incredible views throughout. The hike takes through glistening clear lakes, bright spots of green grass, glorious wild flowers and the ever present vertical snow covered peaks. The sidewalls vary from very steep to precipitous. The glacier has carved striations on the surrounding country rocks. Moving ice has formed depressions, which serve as basins for numerous glacial lakes.

In Biafo Glacier the first sight is of the pinnacles of the Paiyu Group which is astonishing. The view of mountains is spectacular. It provides marvelous scenery. On one side the Biafo lies and on the other side the Hispar Glacier and the peaks above Hunza valley.

Campsites along the Biafo are located off of the glacier. It is adjacent to the side moraines and steep mountain sides. The three camp sites are MANGO, NAMLA & BAINTHA. Moving up from the last village Askole before the glacier are beautiful sites with flowing water nearby. Mango and Namla are the first two campsites, which are often covered in flowers. Namla has an amazing waterfall very close to the camping area. Baintha, the third camp site is often used as a rest day. There is a large green meadow near the camp and it has a few running streams and many places to spend the day rock climbing. Baintha Campsite is located on an ablation valley below the granite peaks of the Ogre (7813 m.).

Evidence of wildlife can be seen throughout the trek. The Ibex and the Markhor Mountain Goat are found and the area is famous for brown bears and snow leopards.  

The journey to Biafo Glacier begins in Skardu. From Skardu, a jeep may escort travellers through the Braldu Gorge to the thousand-year-old Askole village. The trek from Askole initially proceeds towards K2, then turns northwest up the Biafo Glacier to Snow Lake. The descent differs from the ascent Going is through the Hunza Valley and ending is in Gilgit.

On the route of Biafo Glacier one just come across the highest, the longest and the largest mountains, glacier and rivers of the world. The scenes are full of breathtaking splendor sights. The trek is like a paradise on the earth. It is paradise not only for mountaineers, trekkers and photographers, but for every nature lover.