Lahore, also called "show-window" of Pakistan, is the capital of Punjab and the state's second largest city—a vibrant and charismatic mix built on the east bank of Ravi River. Legend has it that Loh, son of Rama, the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana, founded it. Historical records indicate that is was built in the 8th century by a Hindu ruler, razed to the ground by Genghis Khan's hordes, rebuilt shortly after and since then has been Pakistan's cultural and intellectual center.
Like so many Asian cities, the contrast between the old and new Lahore are staggering. The centuries-old architecture in old town is over-towered by skyscrapers of the modern city. There is Gothic architecture and shady bungalows and gardens left behind by the British. The jumble of different cultures and religions that have ruled and lived there throughout the centuries can be clearly seen in the buildings.
The fascinating atmosphere of Lahore is peppered with brightly painted trucks, buses, cars and scooters with whole families crammed into and on them, bullock carts, hand carts and Chinese-style rickshaws. The mixture of beautiful and colorful traditional Pakistani-women's dress of saris with gorgeous embroidery is fascinating to the eye.
While sight-seeing and shopping one can bring along some wonderfully prepared lunch courtesy of the hotel, and relax in one of the shady parks and gardens. Shalimar Garden, the most complete Moghal garden on the Indian subcontinent, located on Grand Trunk Road is a good place to start. Shah Jahan developed Shalimar Garden in 1642 for the recreation of the royal household. It contains three terraces with straight, shaded walkways around an enchanting arrangement of ponds, waterfalls and marble pavilions and is surrounded by huge fruit trees decorated with small, playful chipmunks.
A must-see is the Lahore Fort with its massive walls, built by Akbar in the 1560s. It towers over the old city of Lahore, surrounding a web of buildings built over the centuries. One enters through Alamgiri Gate and the Maktab Khana or the clerks' house, built in 1618, where they recorded the names of visitors. Walking up a few steps one enters the Moti Masjid, a quaint little mosque. One should not forget to see the Museum on the north side, which houses beautiful calligraphy, miniature paintings and old coins.
For those interested in Mosques, there is the Wazi Khan Moque and the Badhahi Mosque, with their colorful fresco and tile decorations on the interior and exterior of the buildings.
Also not to be missed are the old town Lahore Bazaars, Kashmiri, Suah Chatta, Dabbi, Anarkali, or the modern Lahore Bazaars, Liberty and Gulberg. The old city bazaars are full of tiny alleys with people, rickshaws, donkeys and carts. All of them exude a wonderful aroma from the uncooked and cooked food, to the new and old wares and the smell of the crowd. Anything one has ever dreamt of can be found there, including clothing, embroidered goods, jewelry, antiques, copper, bass and silverware, carpets and food. The people are friendly and sociable and won't mind stopping to talk to someone from a far away land.
It is enchanting to visit during a festival. The most colorful festival is the Basant or Kite Flying Festival. Almost the entire population flies kites to celebrate the coming of spring. One can enjoy watching this colorful display along with the dances and dress and listen to the exotic music, while savoring the traditional food with its mouthwatering tastes and blissful smells.
Take a side-trip to the Multan, the oldest surviving city of that continent, dating back about 4,000 years. It was once the center of Islam where mystics, holy men and saints visited. See the tombs, shrines and take a stroll through the Bazaar.
Lahore and its surroundings, with its ancient, traditional and modern mixture of architecture, life, people and food is a traveler's paradise. The less one expects, the more one will enjoy and the more one will be astounded as to what Lahore has to offer.
Feeds