Winter is coming !!!!!

The title may seem shady but whenever I feel winter coming I can’t seem to get rid of wandering thoughts of “Queen of Hills”. It is none other than Murree. One of our classmates invited us for stay at Murree but we could not make it that time. Around middle of December we took our turn to finally visit. While visiting I caught all the feels, form dense jungles of pine and oak to green landscape, form tall trees with chirping birds to open skies where clouds lie, site of monkeys gathered nearby road and tourist either feeding them or running away from them. Site was just the beginning to a serene journey. We planned on for staying one day in Murree and there are many route to Murree, it only took us one hour and so to get there via Islamabad-Murree Expressway, all credit to fast diving of our friend. Besides that you can also take Islamabad-Murree Road and Old Murree Road.

Gloria Jean's Coffees, Express

About Murree:

The name Murree came from “Marhi” meaning “High Place”, there is belief that it was named after Virgin Mary. Murree is the most visited hill spot and largest resort area in Glayat area in Pakistan. You can access it by road easily. Murree covers area of seven kilometer that lies between Pindi point and Kashmir point.

 

Birdseye view of Murree

Murree was built by British colonial government, in east lies River Jehlum that separates it from Azazd Kashmir,in southwest lies the capital while in southeast is tehsil of Rawalpindi. North of Murree lies Abbottabad. Alongside of Murree is part of KPK like Nathiagali, Ayubia, Dunga Gali and Changla Gali.

At a Glance:

Our first destination on arrival on around 9 o’clock was Mall Road. The road was full of hustle and bustle even then, it was scattered with hotels, restaurants and shops for people to buy attractive sovereign. Some people were having breakfast while few were walking around seems to heading back to their hotels after spending the early part of the morning wandering around the road. We decided to explore it on our way back cause it has this beautiful bazar just few steps below.

Mall Road during day

Moving ahead we walked 15 minutes to Pindi Point, the excitement to take chairlift was to the roofs. The scenery below was out of the world as it was middle of December all you can see was snowy peaked valleys and pale zigzag lines of pine.

 

Chairlift at Pindi Point

The chairlift ride took us to Bansara Gali , there we visited Bansara Gali Wildlife Park. The park was crowded with children, not only there was zoo featuring wild animals as such deer, brown tiger, black bear and more, there was also paly area which seemly was main attraction for little ones.

Bansara Gali

Wildlife Park

Form there we made our way back down through bacha gari and continue to walk Kashmir Point, it took us around good fifteen minutes along the way we passed by Cadet college Murree. The spot is the highest point it also has various shops and a food courts. The view from the spot looked over Kashmir Mountains. It seems quieter than the other places we had visited.

Kashmir Mountain's view from Kashmir Point

Kashmir Point

After that we decided to take our turn to New Murree “Patriata” it has the most wonderful chairlift ride, it almost cost us Rs.200 a car and cable to reach Patriata Hills, we were told it was 7km long. Upon arrival after breathtaking ride at hills we walked in direction where most of the people were walking which took us to the highest point on Patraita Hill, we decided to stop and settle cause of all the wet cold around us. The view from the top was not only of Kashmir Hills but also Murree Hills everything was covered in white and it was unspeakable sight and the area seemed so pure and angelic due to all the snow. It seemed like hours would not be enough for all the wonderful view around at top for our minds to capture.

View from Patriata

View from Patriata

We took chairlift back to Murree, it was dark by the time we arrived, around 5pm at Mall Road. I must say evening is in fact the best time to enjoy Mall Road. The hotels, restaurants and shops were all lighted up, some shops have fairy lights hanging in them.

Mall Road at Night

We walked around for quite a while. After a while we got tired and sat down by of the shops heard a passerby talking about visiting other places like Neelam Lake, Nathiagal and Aubyia amongst other, we were tempted to visit as well but we were tired and it was getting late so we decided to save it for our next trip, as we made our way back through Islamabad-Murree Road it took us around half an hour and so to away from this angelic land.

On my way back all my thoughts was all but occupied with planning of getting back again to Queen of Hills and to its wonders, I felt serenity at the same time all the rush of being at heights and having a lot yet to see at hand in Murree, had me tied up in knots. For me it was enough to have me hooked to this place not only I would like to other places but the same places again, renaissance would be worth it for sure. Here are some other suggestions to push you over the edge.

River Neelam

It’s basically a picnic spot. People enjoy having lunch at bank of the river with cold wind blowing and cool water passing by in river, is the best thing in summers.

Nathiagali

Most well gali is Nathiagali.35kms away from Murree. On clear day you can see the heights of Nanaga Parbat. Best thing about this spot is its beauty and mountains surrounding it. You could see Kashmir and Kohistan Mountains on one side and Muskhpuri Mountains above it.

Aubyia

It is second to Nathiagalia best spot in area of Galliat. The area has wide mountain forest and four resort spread over 26kms. It has area declared as Aubyia National Park, an old summer resort namely Khnaspur is part of Aubyia. There is a lot to see in Aubyia and it can whole day to visit all four resorts.

Trinity church

The Holy Trinity Church was established in 1857 it is still open for the followers. The church is center of attention aside from obvious reasons is due to its architecture.

Sindh House

Just a few steps ahead on the same road is Sindh House and Punjab House, there are for the assistance of provincial government for stays and meetings 

Murree Brewery

The Brewery is located at Ghora Gali in Galiyat area of Murree. It was founded by Dyer in 1860. You can see the haunted remains of brewery and there are some shops also having vintage products from the brewery as well.

I have to come think that Murree has a lot more to offer than just sightseeing. It is place where you go to celebrate and retreat. It is place where you create memories. For me it was the place that took me out from depths of despair and took me to the heights of paradise, all I know that, Queen of Hills in fact is now Queen of my Heart.

City of Saints and Nirvana. . .

On the onset of winter last year we decided we should visit places that we would not in summers such as Multan. Few years back, on my transit form Rawalpindi to Karachi via train I came across this beautiful city, as 12^th of Rabi-ul-awal was around the corner the city was radiating beacon of light in dark of the night, the vision was serene and entrancing, it made me think of all the gratitude that I have for the spirituality around me. So last year in winters nearing month of Rabi-ul-Awal we decided to give it a go and it came to us that just like other cities of Pakistan, Multan has its own tourist attractions and fair share of places to visit. Multan has more to offer than it appears to be.

 History:

As it has been said in old sayings, “Multan is City of Saints Dust and Beggars”. It is famous for its unique handicrafts, shrines, sufi music, parks and other cultural manifestations. Today Multan has diverse culture both the combination of old and new Pakistani cultures.

History is really old which dates back to old Indus Valley Civilization, existed 5000 years ago. Multan name came from pre-Muslim period form an idol in Temple of the Sun God. It has faced many regimes and visits form Sufis, arranging form Great Alexander visit in 326 BC to Mughal emperors. Lastly British ruled it till independence.

Culture:

Multan is “Manchester” of Pakistan as it is rich in ethnicity like Punjabi, Balochi, Sindh and Pashtuns. No doubt the dominant religion is Islam. Most riveting aspect of culture is “Derra” namely called “Bhettak”, it’s a place where friends and neighbors will unite to talk about their day share happiness and sorrows. Multan has variety in food, due to its ethnicity ranging from fast food, Chinese and Arabic delicacies. While traditional renowned foods are Multani Mutton Chops, Multani Halwa (Sohan Halwa), Badami Kulfi, Paira, Lassi, Doli Roti and Kachori. 

 

Dominant language is “Saraiki”, the sweetest language of Pakistan and other dialects. Multan is most famous for its handcrafts i.e. Blue Pottery. The craft can be traced back to the city of Kashgar, China. Each pottery piece is hand crafted and hand painted and is extremely beautiful and durable. The art of it all is influenced by Persian art and can be seen in every piece.

At a Glance:

Our first destination on arrival was Ibn e Qasim Bagh. While visiting the place it gave us the opportunity to relive in the residues of Qasim Fort namely Multan Fort. Fort was destroyed in reign of British. 

We arrived at Walled city of Multan through Haram Gate. Walled city seemed both familiar and strange at the same time it was executing more culture and rural vibes. Making our way to the shrine nearby, was the sight of pigeons and gatekeeper of shrine feeding them adding more to the spirituality of Multan.

First shrine we visited was Shrine of Sakhi Yahya Nawab, son of Musa Pak Shaheed. The sight was eye opening and in complete contrast with Walled city hustle, it’s like shrine appeared out of nowhere, from its colorful bricked exterior to the nature vested within was a calling and temptation.

The trance was broken eventually and we came across Musafarkhana, it seemed to be the best possible place to stay in city. The three story building was made up of bricks and the windows had colorful stained glass in wood craved frames all facing the Sarafa Bazaar, a famous jewelry market.

We made our way to Chowk Bazar though Main Street under all the canopies and came across Jain Mandir, people were oblivious to its presence, to which we took the opportunity to have a look. The temple hall was empty and you could clearly see the Hindu and English scripts in the tiles telling mythical lore.

Moving ahead in bazar we finally came across the two most famous shrines of Multan. Shrine of Shah Rukn-i-Alam and Shrine of Bhahudin Zakariya. After taking riksha ride to Shrine of Shah Rukn-i-Alam, we entered the shrine, the inside of tomb was dark and cold. Man and women were praying and came forth to touch the tomb, place was filled with air of reverence.

On our way to Shrine of Bhahudin Zakariya, we visited Clock Tower “Ghanta Ghar”. We were told that it was government headquarters built in during British raj, the clock was solar powered and stopped working while ago. Now government has converted it into museum, Multan Museum. The museum had collection of postage stamps, coins and medals.

Again passing by Qasim Fort we reached our final destination, Shrine of Bhahudin Zakariya. The shrine is the home of Shah Rukn-i-Aalm’s grandfather, he was the earliest preacher of Islam. The structure was old and in contrast to Shrine of Shah Rukn-i-Alam but it significance makes up for its beauty. The design was simple it had carved wooden doors and walls were made of mud bricks.

The sun was about to set so I asked to stay for a bit before our way home, as we sat around corner. I found myself lost to emphatic sounds of Qawwali, and I knew I had eventually found what I came for, as group of men near the entrance of tomb started to sing.

 

It is my heart’s desire to visit this place again and would suggest that everyone must visit once in their life time even if it’s for the sake of delicious Sohan Halwa!!!!.  Here is something to push your over the edge.