January 10, 2015

Katasraj Mandir

Katasraj Mandir is a Hindu temple complex situated in Katas village, Punjab, Pakistan, in the Salt Range mountains. Since it is not very far from the Khewra Salt Mine, I went there after the mine, before going back to Lahore. Dedicated to Shiva, the Katasraj temple complex is believed to date back to the Mahabharata era. Many legends are associated with the temples: The five Pandava brothers, heroes of the Sanskrit epic the Mahabharata, stayed here for 4 of the 13 years they spent in exile. Another story goes: After the death of his wife Sati, Shiva cried so much and for so long that his tears created two holy ponds, one in Rajasthan, the other here at Katas. The temple complex was abandoned by local Hindus when they migrated to India during partition in 1947 and no one stayed back. However, it has remained a place of pilgrimage for Hindu worshippers (especially from Sindh).

January 9, 2015

Khewra Salt Mine

The Khewra Salt Mine is located in the Salt Range mountains in Punjab, Pakistan, between Lahore and Islamabad. It is Pakistan’s largest and oldest salt mine and the world’s second largest. It is said to have been discovered when horses in the army of Alexander the Great began licking the stones near the mine. It is now a major tourist attraction in the area.

January 8, 2015

Gurdwara Janam Asthan (Nankana Sahib)

Gurdwara Janam Asthan is an important temple (gurdwara) for the Sikhs, built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 19th century to mark the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. It is located in Nankana Sahib near Lahore, Pakistan.

January 7, 2015

Hiran Minar

Hiran Minar (Minaret of Antelope) is a Mughal site in Sheikhupura, Pakistan, near Lahore. Hiran Minar itself is a tower constructed by Mughal Emperor Jahangir as a monument to one of his pet deer. It is set next to an artificial square lake with an observation pavilion in the middle.

January 6, 2015

Sheikhupura Fort

Sheikhupura Fort (also known as Qila Sheikhupura) is a fort near the city of Sheikhupura in Punjab, Pakistan, not far from Lahore. The fort was built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in the early 17th century. It was later occupied by the Sikhs during their reign over Punjab. These days, there are still a lot of frescos left and it is somewhat possible to imagine how glorious the fort once was. Unfortunately, the fort is slowly crumbling to ruin and bats occupy some of the buildings. It is normally not open to the public but my guide knew someone who was able to let me in and give me a tour of the site.

January 5, 2015

Data Darbar Shrine

Data Darbar Shrine is a Muslim shrine located in the city of Lahore, Pakistan, near the Walled City. It houses the remains of a Sufi saint known as Daata Ganj Baksh. He is said to have lived on the site in the 11th century.

January 2, 2015

Walled City of Lahore

The Walled City of Lahore, also known as the “Old City”, is the section of Lahore, Pakistan, that was fortified by a city wall during the Mughal era. It is located in the northwestern part of the city and includes both the Imperial Mosque and the Fort (Shahi Qila).

December 30, 2014

Shahi Qila (Lahore Fort)

Shahi Qila (Royal Fort) is a Mughal citadel in Lahore, Pakistan. It is located on the other side of Hazuri Bagh from the Badshahi Masjid. It was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century.

December 19, 2014

Badshahi Masjid (Imperial Mosque of Lahore)

I was (again) in Lahore, Pakistan for a few months this autumn: I took the opportunity to go visit some of the major landmarks in the area. Today, I will post photos of the Badshahi Masjid (Imperial Mosque) in Lahore: It was built in 1673 by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and, for a long time, was the largest mosque in the world (now 5th). It is one of Lahore’s most famous landmarks and a major tourist attraction.

December 18, 2014

Gyoza at Gyoza Bar in Paris

12 gyozas.