Rohtas fort

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         Rohtas fort has total 12 gates. It is spread in quite huge area with scattered buildings thus each and every place needs to be describe and non of the place here can be ignored. The first gate is known as "Khwas Khani" gate mean the gate for the specials, indicating that it was used by emperor and his special army men. This gate is the main entry to the fort but you have to keep driving through this gate untill you reach to the parking lot inside the fortress. Inside the fort area lots of houses have been made by the local people, quite enough to be called as a small town. Any ways after parking you may either walked towards "Shah Chand Wali "gate or towards "Sohail gate". On the left side of sohail gate , it is said that "sher shah museum" is located in the upper part of the gate but i couldnt visit the museum because of some due reasons the museum was closed for visitors. But i was told by the guide that inside the museums has certain statues of Emperor's Sher Shah Suri wives dressed in traditional attires. The guide was holding an album of the potograps of the museum. So i took the following picture of Emperor's sher shah suri's wives from there otherwise photography inside the museums is strictly forbidden. He also told me that inside the museum are kept old swords, daggers, shileds and coins etc. I always wonders why photography always forbidden inside museums? What could be its reason? 

A picture from a picture Sher Shah Museum Wives of Sher Shah Suri

Map of Rohtas Fort

Inner side of Sohail Gate

Shah Chand Wali gate is named after a saint Shah Chand Wali, and it is said that he refused to get his wages for working on this gate. Later on he died while still working on the gate and was buried near to the gate. Talaqi gate  is named after the word of urdu language " Talaq" that mean "Divorce". According to a legend Prince Shabir Suri entered the gate and had an attack of fever which proved fatal and after the death of the Prince this gate was regarded as ominous or bad omen. Now i wonder why its been called as Talaqi gate or Divorced gate? Because the Prince didnt get divorce after entering through this gate instead he fell sick and died coz of sickness.  

Shah Chand Wali gate plus the Tomb of the saint Shah Chand wali

Kabuli gate or Shahi gate  . Its been called as Kabuli gate because it faces towards Kabul side. On the southern side of the gate is located Shahi Mosque or Royal Mosque. Thats why this gate is also known as Royal gate or Shahi gate.

Baby goat is viewing the scenery from the Royal gate

Shishi gate is named after a beautiful glazed tile most probably that might have been used for decoration in the arch of this gate in past. But i personally didnt observe any such glazed tile there. Langar Khani gate or the Mess gate is named after a mess for the soliders. Its opening into a Langar Khana ( A mess or canteen for the soliders) during emperor Sher Shah Suri's era. It is said there are kitcehn, stores and a well for water. Many sheeps, buffalos and cow can be seen grazing around the fort because the area around the fort is mostly a rural area. 

view from the top of the kabuli gate or shahi gate

The royal mosque have a prayer chamber and a small courtyard at its front. Its the most decorated of the original buildings inside the fort. It is said that during Emperor Sher Shah Suri's time, in case of attack, there made stairs that leads direct from the courtyard of this mosque to the top of the Kabuli gate. This place was my personally favorite.I went through these stairs and upstairs in the open air a very beautiful splendid view of surroundings. I personally found this place very soothing and calm. Far from the hills i could listen the sounds of the music, probably some one playing songs on their mobile phone or it might be coming from the nearby village. But i didnt saw any domes of the mosque. It is said that this mosque dont have any domes. 

Access to Katasraj Temples

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            Katas Raj Temple Complex is a Hindu Temple, situated in Katas village, northern Panjab Pakistan. It is one of the most important Hindu Pilgrimage site in Pakistan, located in the famous Salt Range "Khewra" in Potohar.

The sacred Pond

I wanted to visit these temples earlier but because of time constraint i couldn't manage and could only access to Salt range "Khewra". Any how today i am going to share about these Wonderful Hindu Temple Complex, though renovation work is carrying on but the guide helped and took us to each and every corner by describing the historical back ground. I visited in early November,  though the greenery is lacking around as its the beginning of Winter Fall, yet i tried my best to capture some clear photographs.

On 4th of November 2012, many Hindu pilgrimage visited here, and their next visit on 15th of November. During these two days the tourists are not allowed to enter the temples.

Access to Katasraj Temples: Its very convenient to reach katas Raj temples. From my home town Mardan, i  just took M2 motoway,passing islamabad, entered through Kallar Kahar interchange, just followed the straight road towards Katas village near Choa Saidan Shah. From kallar kahar interchange, it took almost 30 min drive to reach there, the road is under construction and passed through a rural area. One may have a nice views of potohar rural life style. A couple of cement factories comes in the way.
From Mardan it took approximately two hours and 45 minutes drive to reach Katas by car.


 Legend behind the Katasraj Temple:  This Temple is a sacred Hindu place and is mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva. The mention of Katas is found in Hindu religious book "Maha Bharta". One of the most interesting legend behind it is dated back to the times of Lord Shiva, when his beloved wife Satti died. It is supposed by the Hindus that Lord Shiva cried too much at the death of his wife that his tears created two holy ponds. One is located in Ajmer and another is Kataksha, known as Katas now a days. The word Katas literally mean "raining eyes" or "chain of tears" in Sansikrit. Hindus believes that taking bath in the pond on certain occasion causes forgiveness of sins.

Side view of the pool

An overview of Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, a group of total 7 ancient temples.

Map of Katas Raj Temples Complex

For Sat Ghar Temples Just Click the link below:

In Saidpur village

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In Saidpur village i found many local people are engaged in pottery making from last many years. I ask one such man of quite old age about his business. He told me that his father started pottery making and its been  almost a 100 years now since they first started making pottery . He showed me his family museum. In following i am sharing photographs from his collection. There were certain clay items, almost 100 years old. Usually the equipment for operating pottery making is available in each and every community , yet for a successful business, it requires certain outlets and needed to be commercialized. I found many creative items in this man collection, like an aeroplane model, a Windmill, a statue of horse, a water pump, a train, a truck etc apart from the usual pottery stuffs.
All these stuff showing the creativity of his nature.


kiranpalwasha ............with tanx

Shogran Kaghan

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 A truly perfect summer destination for those who love the mountains excursion.
In early June 2013, i travel to Shogran Kaghan Valley , situated in Khyber Pukhtun kwa province Pakistan. One of the most picturesque and spectacular mountain scenery, some of the most worth watching places. Excursions to Siripaya meadows, Sharan valley, Lulusar Lake and Lalazar are worth visiting. 
I personally chose Shogran in Kaghan to travel around and then to Siripaya through an adventurous Jeep ride. Though i have traveled to Khunjarab Pass ( Pakistan China Border) via Gilgit and Hunza with University friends. Though it was a study tour from university equally enjoyable but travel with family is entirely a different and much more cozy and lovely experience. Shogran Kaghan is approximately 240 Km from Mardan. It took me about 5  hours drive to reach Shogran  apart from the rest timings during the way.
There are many hotels to stay comfortably. The road from Kiwai to shogran is bit damaged but still one can reach through car and any other personal vehicle but from shogran onward toSiripaya, its totally impossible to reach through car. Only jeeps can take you there to the top of siripaya , where you can view the beautiful peek of Makra top.

Here are some beautiful views of Shogran.

امریکہ کو آئی ایس آئی کو امداد دینے کی بجائے یہ امداد سیا سی جماعت کو دینی چاہیے

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بلاول کی محبت ’گورے دوست ‘کو پاکستان کھینچ لائی

کراچی (نیوزڈیسک)پیپلزپارٹی کے مقامی جیالے تو آپ نے سنے اور دیکھے ہوں گے لیکن آج ہم آپ کی ملاقات ایسے گورے جیالے سے کرواتے ہیں جو 4برس سے بلاول بھٹو کے ساتھ ہے۔پچھلے کئی ہفتوں سے ڈیوڈجیمز نامی ایک شخص بلاول کی وال پر اپنی تصویریں پوسٹ کررہا ہے جن پر آصفہ بھٹو زرداری نے ”گورا جیالا“ کہہ کر 

تبصرہ بھی کیا ہے۔

بلاول کی ڈیوڈ سے شناسائی آکسفورڈ یونیورسٹی سے جہاں یہ دونوں ہم جماعت تھے۔ ڈیوڈنے فلسفہ ،سیاست اور معیشت پڑھی ہے۔بلاول اور اسکی دوستی کا عکس اس مضمون سے بھی ظاہر ہوتا ہے جو اس نے پاکستان پر لکھا تھا جس میں اس نے تجویز پیش کی ہے کہ امریکہ کو آئی ایس آئی کو امداد دینے کی بجائے یہ امداد سیا سی جماعت کو دینی چاہیے ۔جب سے بلاول آکسفورڈ چھوڑ کر پاکستان آ گیا تھا تب سے جیمز مسلسل اسے یاد کرتا تھا اور بالآخر وہ بلاول سے آن ملا اور گذشتہ چار سال سے وہ پاکستان میں رہ رہا ہے۔
ڈیوڈ جیمز کا پاکستان میں ذریعہ معاش بھی دلچسپی سے خالی نہیں۔ وہ ایک نجی کمپنی جو سندھ کے ریگستانوں میں پانی کی تلاش وغیرہ پر کام کرتی ہے میں بین الاقوامی ٹریڈ منیجر کی حیثیت سے نوکری کرتا ہے۔ دلچسپ امر یہ ہے کہ اس کمپنی کے مالکان کا بھی پتا نہیں چلتا کہ وہ کون لوگ ہیں۔ کہنے والے تو یہ بھی کہتے ہیں کہ یہ نوکری بھی اسے بلاول نے دلوائی ہے تاکہ اسے اچھا ’جیب خرچ ‘ میسر ہوتا رہے۔
جیمز کی زیادہ تر ٹیوئٹس ہم جنس پرستوں کے حقوق پر ہیں ۔ اس کے علاوہ ڈیوڈ نے ٹوئیٹر پر چار مقامات کی تصاویر بھی پوسٹ کی ہیں اور چاروں مقامات انتہائی دلچسپ ہیں جن میں وہ ان مقامات پر وہ بلاول بھٹو زرداری کے ساتھ رہ چکا ہے۔ ان مقامات میں پرائم منسٹرہاﺅس اسلام آباد، دوبئی کا پرتعیش ہوٹل، چیف منسٹر ہاﺅس پشاور اور ایک کراچی کی جگہ شامل ہے۔ ڈیوڈ جیمز بلاول کے ہمراہ متعدد بار اس کے نجی ہیلی کاپٹر اور جیٹ طیارے میں نا صرف پاکستان بلکہ بین الاقوامی سفر بھی کر چکا ہے۔

چوروں اور ڈاکوؤں کے بھی کچھ اصول ہوتے تھے

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ایک دفعہ عبدالستار ایدھی صاحب ٹی وی پروگرام میں آئے۔ ان کی زندگی کے دلچسپ واقعات کا پوچھا جا رہا تھا۔ اس میں انہوں نے ایک واقعہ سنایا۔ ۔ ایک دفعہ رات کے وقت ایدھی صاحب کہیں جا رہے تھے۔ راستے میں ڈاکوؤں نے روک لیا۔ جب ڈاکو سب کچھ لے بیٹھے اور ایدھی صاحب کو جانے کا کہنے لگے تو ایک ڈاکو نے انہیں پہچان لیا۔ ڈاکو نے فوراً اپنے ساتھیوں کو کہا کہ ان کا سب کچھ واپس کر دو۔ ساتھیوں نے تجسس سے پوچھا کہ کیوں؟ ڈاکو نے اپنے ساتھیوں کو کہا کہ کمبختو! جب پولیس مقابلے میں مارے جاؤ گے، جب تمہارے قریبی رشتہ دار بھی لاشیں لینے سے انکار کر دیں گے، جب اپنے بھی تدفین نہیں کریں گے تو تب یہی آدمی انسانیت کی خاطر آگے بڑھے گا اور تدفین کا بندوبست کرے گا۔ اوئے! یہ عبدالستار ایدھی ہے۔
پیارے ایدھی صاحب! یہ سب ماضی کے قصے ہیں کہ جب چوروں اور ڈاکوؤں کے بھی کچھ اصول ہوتے تھے۔ کم سہی مگر ان میں بھی غیرت نام کی کوئی چیز ہوتی تھی۔ تب معاشرے میں تھوڑی بہت انسانیت باقی تھی۔ جبکہ حال تو جنگل سے بھی گیا گزرا ہے۔ یہ تو بس ایک اندھیر نگری ہے، اندھیر نگری۔ جہاں فلاحی ادارے تک لوٹے جا رہے ہیں۔ یہ ایک ایدھی نہیں لٹا بلکہ اس جنگل نما معاشرے سے انسانیت کی آخری سانس لٹ رہی ہیں۔

سوات سوشل میڈیا نیوز

سوات سوشل میڈیا نیوز

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