Ayub Arch and Lansdowne Bridge in Sukkur-Rohri, Sindh, Pakistan - Amazing Architecture and Rich History

This beautiful sight is offered in the Southern province of Pakistan - SINDH. The two bridges are named as Ayub Arch (in front) and Lansdowne Bridge (at the rear).

History behind the Name : Ayub Arch is named after Pakistan's Military President Field Marshall Ayub Khan who ruled Pakistan from 1958-1970. Lansdowne Bridge was named after (at the rear).
SIZE of  Ayub Arch and Lansdowne Bridge  : It is hardly 4 kms in length with a maximum width of 1 km.
HISTORY of  Ayub Arch and Lansdowne Bridge  : The design of Lansdowne Bridge has always been a headline in the Architectural world. At one time it was believed that this design will not hold itself and will fall to rubble, however it has survived more than a century. You can a lot of details from another blog post about the same bridges at : Ayub Arch and Lansdowne Bridge at Sukkur.
LOCATION of Ayub Arch and Lansdowne Bridge : Bridges connecting the twin cities of Sukkur and Rohri in Sindh, Pakistan.
How to Reach  Ayub Arch and Lansdowne Bridge  : You can reach Sukkur via Aeroplane, Train and by road too. The train takes around 6 hours from Karachi while you can travel by road for approx ___ hours to reach this site.
Hotels/Lodging Facilities on  Ayub Arch and Lansdowne Bridge : Being the 3rd largest city of Sindh province, you can get all sorts of hotels and lodging facilities at Sukkur. Some of the best hotels in the town include InterPak Inn Hotel, Hotel Al-Habib and Mehran Hotel Sukkur.
Specialities of  Ayub Arch and Lansdowne Bridge :

• Lansdowne Bridge was the longest rigid girder bridge in the World, when its construction began in 1887.
• Lansdowne Bridge is a Railway bridge.
• Lansdowne Bridge was inaugurated on March 25, 1889.
• The bridge provided the Railway link between Lahore and Karachi. Before the construction of bridge the train boggies were required to be transported across the river on ferries.
• The great steel Ayub Arch was constructed in 1962 and railway traffic was shifted there. 
• About a hundred feet apart, the two bridges seem like one from a distance. 
• The Ayub Arch became the world's third longest railway arch span and the first bridge in the world to have "the Railway desk slung on coiled wire rope suspenders." 
• Dr. D.D. Steinman of New York, proponent of 'vocational aesthetics' designed this graceful bridge which cost about two crore rupees. 
• The foundation stone of Ayub Arch was laid on December 9, 1960. 
• Ayub Arch was opened by President Muhammad Ayub Khan on May 6, 1962.

A night view of this beautiful set of bridges can not be forgotten for a long time.
Have you visited these amazing engineering marvel?
You can find more amazingly beautiful tourist attractions in Pakistan HERE.

A Lake Which Fascinates Fairies - Lake Saif-ul-Muluk - Kaghan Valley

Lake Saif-ul-Muluk is undoubtedly one of the most scenic lakes of the World. Located at about 30 minute distance from Naran in Kaghan Valley, it is a crystal clear bowl of green water at a height of approximately 10,578 Feet above mean sea level.

It is strikingly beautiful and captures the eyes of the tourists. The effect seems to be magical in every sense of the word.

How to get to Lake Saif-ul-Muluk?

From Balakot, you have to travel North towards the small town of Naran, which in fact is one of the largest towns in Kaghan Valley and the main tourist stop during your trip to Kaghan Valley. Naran is about 90 kms from Balakot or 2.5 hours of drive on car.
After crossing (or in literary terms - Climbing, because the bazaar is all up-hill) Naran Bazaar, you will find a bridge over a narrow stream of water. This water in coming from Lake Saif-ul-Muluk, and the track moving along the stream will guide you to the lake itself.

Although you can reach Naran on your personal car, but trip from naran to Lake Saif-ul-Muluk must not be attempted on it. It is highly recommended that a 4x4 Jeep should hired from Naran till the lake, which is hardly a 35-45 minute journey. The track is small and bumpy and a trained driver will take you up without much hassle. You can hire a jeep from Naran Bazaar or the bridge at the end of the bazaar.

A sunset at Lake Saif-ul-Muluk is an unforgettable experience and if you are fond of camping, then Lake Saif-ul-Muluk is one place you will never like to miss. The only guest room available on the lake-side belongs to the Forest Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Province and you can get it booked from their office in Peshawar, if you are so keen at spending a night there.

There are many famous stories about Lake Saif-ul-Muluk and one of them narrates that fairies come to take bath in this lake during the full-moon nights. I can not comment on the authenticity of these stories, but you will have to spend a night there to find out for yourself - How true are these stories?

Lake Saif-ul-Muluk is an unmissable tourist attraction in Kaghan Valley and any tourist travelling in the valley can not even think of missing it.
I have the honor of watching this lake in different times of the year, starting from March to December and the lake has different colors in every month, yet every color is more beautiful than the others. I have seen it frozen in early March as well.
Have you visited Lake Saif-ul-Muluk and how did you find it? Feel free to share your experience below in Comments Section!

Pakistan's Best Heritage Site: Lahore Fort

One of my all-time favorite UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in Pakistan is Lahore Fort. I absolutely adore the grandeur and splendor of Alamgiri Gate of Lahore Fort.
Lately during one of my recent visits to Lahore, I stole a few minutes while travelling on GT Road to capture some images of Lahore Fort, that I promised to send to a friend abroad. Since I did not have much time at hand, so while I was entering Lahore on a family trip, I just parked my car in the parking lot, brought ice cream for kids and went inside to take the photos.
It was a long time since I visited this place but I found it as magical and attractive as ever before.

Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque face each other and offer a great heritage tour, if someone plans to visit there. Where else can you find so many historical places in near vicinity to each other?

Although "Lahore Fort & Shalamar Gardens" is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Danger, but still Lahore Fort is a huge fort with a lot of historical buildings, monuments and gardens. Badshahi Mosque has a magnificent museum depicting various items of Muslim history. Between these two mammoth structures lies the Bara-Dari (Building with 12 doors), that you can see in the above picture as well.
Minar-e-Pakistan (Minaret of Pakistan) is also located across the road, which is a modern architecture building. It was constructed to commemorate the passage of Pakistan Resolution on 23 March 1940.
I will get some more photos to share with you as soon as I visit the place again - which I am anxiously waiting as well.

Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore - A Symbol of Pakistan's Sovereignty

"Minar-e-Pakistan" or the "Minaret of Pakistan" is a monument built to remember the passing of a resolution to demand a separate country for Muslims of India by All-India Muslim League at this ground on 23 March 1940. This was the first official declaration to establish a separate homeland for the Muslims living in the South Asia. Pakistan now celebrates this day as a national holiday each year.

The minaret reflects a blend of Mughal and modern architecture and attracts visitors from all over the World. The large public space around the monument is commonly used for political and public meetings, whereas Iqbal Park area is popular for kite-flying as well.

Design.   The foundation stone was laid on March 23, 1960. The construction took eight years and was completed in 1968. Today, the minaret provides a panoramic view to visitors who can climb up the stairs or through an elevator. The parks around the monument include marble fountains and an artificial lake.

Structure.   The base is about 8 meters above the ground. The tower rises about 60 meters on the base, thus the total height of minaret is about 72 meters above the ground. The unfolding petals of the flower-like base are 9 meters high. The diameter of the tower is about 97.5 meters (320 feet). The base platform is shaped like a five-pointed star and encloses two crescent shaped pools. There is a central spiral staircase rising up with 162 steps. The top-dome of the minaret is made of Stainless steel inlaid with fine glass pieces.

The structure is made of reinforced concrete, stones, and marble. The rostrum is built of patterned tiles, and faces the Badshahi Mosque. The base comprises four platforms. To symbolise humble beginnings of the freedom struggle, first platform is built with uncut Taxila stones, second platform is made of hammer-dressed stones, whereas third platform is of chiselled stones. Polished white marble at the fourth and final platform depicts the success of the Pakistan Movement.

Inscriptions.   At the base, there are floral inscriptions on ten converging white marble Commemorative plaques. The incriptions include the text of Lahore Resolution in Urdu, Bengali and English, and Delhi Resolution’s text, which was passed on April 9, 1946. On different plaques, Quranic verses and 99 attributes of God are inscribed in Arabic calligraphy, whereas National Anthem of Pakistan in Urdu and Bengali, excerpts from the speeches of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in Urdu, Bengali and English, as well as few couplets of Allama Iqbal are inscribed.

Minar-e-Pakistan has also been featured on numerous bank notes and coins of the country.

Would you like to visit Minar-e-Pakistan? What are your views for this majestic structure? 

Naran from a distance after the 1st Snowfall of Winter 2009 in Naran, Kaghan Valley

Here is a beautiful picture of the sbow-covered Naran Town from a little distance.

Mountains surrounding Naran - All covered with heavy snow!!!

A "Lovely" Trip to Lulusar Lake in the last week of October 09

A lovely trip to Lulusar Lake is definitely a treat but how about going to Lulusar Lake in the last week of October? Believe me it was still a treat while the mountains were covered in a beautiful white sheet of snow. The road and the mountains around the Lulusar Lake were also white as the fleece of Mary's Little Lamb - I hope that you remember "Mary had a Little Lamb - Its fleece was white as snow" :) So check these cool photos out:

A photo on the road to the magnificent Lulusar Lake:

A photo of the road on the edge of Lulusar Lake - The snow is getting thicker and thicker.

A beautiful view of the gorgeous Lulusar Lake:

Here is another photo of a magnificent view near the lake:

A trip to Babusar Pass in Early Winter Season

I happened to visit Babusar Pass on 23 October 2009. Although the greenery is almost finished, but still the views were absolutely Magnificent. It was chilling cold in the way as well as on the top. Here are a couple of photos of the visit.

The first one is the photo taken from the top of the Babusar Pass and features the view of the valley towards Chillas. The spiral-curling road finds its way down from the top very quickly. It looks just like a spring.

The 2nd one is a lovely photo of snow-covered portion of the Babusar Pass.

Here is a magnificent photo of the vast pastures of Gitidas from Babusar Pass. In the middle you can see the famous Polo Ground which features many Polo games during the summer season. At this point in time, the green pastures have been withered, entire area has been vacated because of the fear of arrival of harsh winter season and the mountains have been covered with white snow. Still the creativity of Allah Almighty can be seen clearly.

Sulphur Springs near Gilgit - Boiling Hot Water coming straight from under the ground

Here are some pictures of "Sulphur Springs" - a beautiful diversity of nature. These springs are located at about two hours drive from Gilgit to Rawalpindi. Due to the presence of Sulphur underground, the water of the springs is hotter than the boiling water. Absolutely hard to touch even!!!

You can even boil an egg by just placing it in the water for some time .......... HOT? Isn't it?

Beautiful Sights While Travelling from Rawalpindi to Gilgit - the Capital of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

Another old but nice-looking suspension bridge on River Indus. Indus is indeed the mightiest of all the Rivers.

Another wonderful view of KKH. Isn't this road leading to heaven? Beautiful snow-covered mountains in the background can give you a feeling of the altitude at which this highway is built.

Check out these Amazing Pictures taken on the Way to Gilgit - The Capital of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

Have you ever seen a river so green. It is the mighty "River Indus"with water coming straight from the melting glaciers and mountain peaks. It is really a beautiful view. Also check the Karakoram Highway running along the river.

A beautiful yellow suspension bridge on the mighty River Indus in front of mountainous background. A lovely sight!!!

A beautiful sight of sloping and flowing Magnificent River Indus where the lovely Karakoram Highway (KKH) moves all along the river.

A bus crossing the land slide. Check a huge bus crossing over the muddy landslide to keep itself on route to its destination. A steep cliff on one side and a sheer fall on the other, but fortune favors the brave only.

What a long line of traveling vehicles struck in the middle of nowhere because of the anger of nature - A landslide.

A Brief Account of my Last Journey to Gilgit

Hi!

I happened to visit Gilgit which is the Capital of "Northern Areas" of Pakistan due to some professional commitment. The highlight of the trip included the journey from Rawalpindi to Gilgit and back on the world-famous "Karakoram Highway (KKH)", a beautiful view of Nanga Parbat - 9th highest peak in the World, a trip to Kargah Nullah, a Helicopter ride to snow-covered Naran Valley, an on-the-route stop at "Sulphur Springs" and a memorable hospitality by my hosts in Gilgit.

Karakoram Highway or Friendship Highway was built during 1966-1986 and is the highest paved international road in the World. It connects China and Pakistan across the Karakoram Highway at an unbelievable altitude of 4,693 meters or 15,397 feet above mean sea level. Most of the countries in the world DO NOT even have a single peak at that altitude. According to Wikipedia "Due to its high elevation and the difficult conditions in which it was constructed, it is also referred to as the 'Ninth Wonder of the World'".

Total Length of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) is 1300 kms (806 kms in Pakistan and 494 kms in China). The road mainly travels along the side of Indus River.

Its construction took the toll of 810 Pakistani and 82 Chinese workers mainly due to land slides, falls and extremely harsh weather conditions during its construction.

I would love to share some nice pictures with all of you here. The first one is a town-view of a medium-sized town Dassu on the KKH with a beautiful bridge on the Indus River.

The second picture is a view of the KKH. You can see the harsh and difficult terrain on which it is built.