Peace Through Tourism

10/11/2020

10/11/2020

26/01/2020

Peace through Kartarpur Corridor

Opening up Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Ji yatra at Kartarpur is not simply a yatra tour to Kartarpur Sahib Ji but much beyond that – its white color is actually a great symbol of peace between the two nations of India and Pakistan and even fully justified to be called a global symbol of peace. It has not only brought people together from India and Pakistan but also sent a great message of coherence not only within Pakistan but across the world as well. Newly built Kartarpur complex has helped a lot in bringing normalization of political affairs or at least helped in not heighten tensions – to some extent I may claim that this white flower complex is equal to no war-pact that is the true outcome of the message delivered by Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Kartarpur and elsewhere in the world.

Kartar Pur corridor is now being visited by more Pakistanis than Indian yatrees on daily basis. According to daily statistics, if some hundreds of Indian Yatrees come for Darshan yatra to Kartarpur while thousands of Muslim yatrees come to pay homage to Guru Nanak Dev Ji that is a great symbol of coherence between communities across the border and ultimately a great symbol of peace promotion through Kartarpur Corridor in the region of sub-continent.

01/12/2019

08/10/2019

Pakistan is truly Roof of the World - for more details on tour packages please visit www.pakistantourism.com.pk

11/05/2019

29/04/2019

Shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Hajveri
Hajveri is a name of a small town of the city of Ghazni that is in today’s Afghanistan. It was then Ghaznavi empire where he was born somewhere between 400 AH and 406 (1009-1072/77AD estimated) exact date of birth is not known. The region’s main language was and even today is Persian and naturally his poetry and writings are in Persian Language. He is also known as Data Ganj Bakhsh that literally means (someone who bestows the treasures), as a matter of fact the local people are more familiar with the name of Data Ganj Bakhsh than the original name. Lahore’s second name is ‘Data ki Nagri or Nagri Data Dhi’ that means the place where Data lives and the phrase is commonly used to highlight the character of Lahore city where nobody sleep hunger. Once a job seeker reached Lahore and asked a job from Lahori and then in responding to that query he was told to go to Data Darbar, have langar (food) there and on the way back bring for myself as well and that is the job for you. Because of his generosity towards the less privileged, now hundreds of the devotees and followers come every day and distribute food among the needy ones, especially when their desire is fulfilled after praying at the shrine. A hospital, several institutions and other organizations carry the name of Data Ganj Bakhsh and extend charity work for the needy over the years. Hordes of devotees gather here on Thursday afternoons to listen to the excellent Qawwali that has been a vital tool for Sufis to preach Islam in the sub-continent. The Urs (death anniversary) of Data Ganj Bakhsh Hajveri is held at this shrine on 18-20 Safar (March/April) and is attended by tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of devotees and the followers.
He is direct descendant of Prophet’s family and the chain goes back to eighth generation, after Karbala conflict the family spread into the surrounding countries. He also composed a book with the name of ‘Kashf-al-Mahjub’ (unveiling of the Hidden) that became very popular in those days and is even now. This is considered the first formal book on Sufism in Persian and played significant role to the spread of Islam in South Asia and particularly in the sub-continent. Hazrat Ali Hajveri spent considerable time in Baghdad, Nishapur and Damascus where he received training in the Hanafi Fiqa (Basic Law of Islam) under well-known teachers. Eventually he settled in Lahore where he died with the reputation of renowned preacher, teacher and a Sufi Saint.
His Miracles:
There was a Hindu Juggler named ‘Rai Raju’ who used to get milk from the cows and buffalos and if the milk seller would not give to Rai Raju then the blood came from the ni***es of the cattle. Once an old lady was taking milk to Rai Raju and on the way Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh called the lady and asked her to give him milk and I would pay for it. The lady replied that we have to give milk to Rai Raju otherwise our cattle fell ill. Hazrat told the lady that if you give me the milk then your cattle would give more milk than before and the lady gave milk to Hazrat Ali hajvery. When the lady came back home and saw the animals full of milk and all pots were full and even the milk was not stopped. When this miracle spread into the masses then people started offering milk to Data Ji. He became furious when he came to know about it and came to Data Sahib and asked him show me any miracle if you have, then Data Sahib told him that I am not a juggler and just ordinary person but you can show if you have, and due to jugglery he started flying in the air. When Data Sahib saw it, he also threw his shoes in the air and the shoes also started along with him. As result he was impressed by his miracle and later on converted to Islam and became his disciple. He was given name ‘Ahmad’ and as title Sheikh-ul-Hind and the same family is until now the caretaker of this shrine.
How to get there:
There is Metro service running right in front of the shrine with a special stop of Data Darbar and one pay the nominal fare for this ride on Metro. The shrine is located in front of Bhatti Gate (old city) and the area is quite busy, so it is not advisable to take own car there because of traffic congestion.
Visiting Hours:
As it is not a routine tourist place, so there are no fix timings to visit but it is better to visit during the day time.

27/04/2019

Mazaar of Bibi Pak Daman
The name Bibi literally means ‘a lady’ and Pak Daman means ‘divine purity’, so altogether it means ‘a lady of purity’. Bibi Pak Daman is not just a name of shrine but also a great symbol of gender equality that always prevailed in sub-continent, particularly in Lahore and Punjab. The shrine also highlights the role of a female Sufi Saint in the preaching and advancement of Islam in South East Asia. The same role of female saintly figures has been significant including the wives of the Holy Prophet, the Sahabas and the other descendants. Hazrat Bibi Pak Daman reflect the great picture of soft image of today’s Pakistan and Lahore has always played a leading role for the betterment of image of Pakistan in the world. Lahore is regarded as full of landmarks in terms of having the shrines of most legendary Sufi Saints including the female Sufi Shrine of Bibi Pak Daman, and male Sufi Shrines of Hazrat Mian Mir, Data Darbar and Madhoo Lal Hussain etc.
As Pirs and Sufis is the essential part of the culture of Indus Civilization, thus our cities and villages are full of such shrines but none of them is as controversial as the stories of Bibi Pak Daman in the city of Lahore. The most of historians believe that the six graves are of the daughters of Syed Ahmad Tokhta who lived in Mohalla Chahaal Bibian, in the walled city of Lahore around 12th century. It is said that to protect these unmarried sisters from the Afghan invader, Sultan Jalaluddin Khurasani, the sister’s prayers to be buried alive were answered.
As there are several myths about the origins of Bibi Pak Daman, the legend also says that the shrine is the last resting place of Hazrat Ruqayyah (daughter of Imam Ali A.S) and five other women from the family. It is said that the group of these women in the leadership of Hazrat Ruqayyah fled Karbala and reached Lahore. When the local Raja came to know about these holy women he sent summon to come to his darbar (courtyard) but his order was denied. As these holy women always observed Purdah (veiling), they never liked to be there and prayed for God’s mercy and in result of that the earth opened up and buried them. It is said that Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh was one her devotees.
Tourist Attraction:
As the shrine is beacon for the women of sub-continent and that is why lot of women visits the shrine every year. Bibi Pak Daman has been equally followed by the Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus that is sign religious harmony and the shrine may play role in bringing people together.
How to get there:
It is centrally located and easily accessible – from the Mall take Davis Road and from Shimla Hill take Empress Road that will connect with Bibi Pak Daman Road and then you are there.
Visiting Hours:
As it is not a routine tourist place, so there are no fix timings to visit but it is better to visit during the day time.

25/04/2019

Mela Chiraghan in Lahore

Mela, literally means a festival and Chiragh, literally means light but it is necessary to make difference between the modern electric lights and the old traditional oil lamps, so here Chiragh means old oil lamp.
Mela Chiraghan is a three day annual festival to mark the Urs (death anniversary) of the great Panjabai Sufi poet Shah Hussain (commonly known as Hazrat Madhoo Lal Hussain). Mela starts every 30 March and ends on 1st April, so this is three days Mela. Sufi Shah Hussain was born in Taxali Gate (old walled city) of Lahore, and the Mela and Urs are held together in Baghbanpura, little outskirts of Lahore in those days but now it is densely populated area of Lahore. The shrine is adjacent to the Shalimar Garden and that is why the Mela was used to be held within the premises of Shalimar Garden but now it is held on the original place of Shrine.

The Mela used to be the largest Mela of the Panjab but now it has lost its flavor and no more as popular as it used to be in the past and now comes after Basant Mela. The Mughal Emperors were used to pay homage by attending the Urs and Mela. Maharaja Ranjit Singh used to lead a big procession on bare foot from the Lahore Fort to the shrine and the procession was always accompanied of thousands of Muslim, Sikh and Hindu devotees. Once again the Mela is now being highlighted by the present government of PTI (lead by PM Imran Khan), however it would take some time.

Hazrat Madhoo Lal Hussain as Symbol of Love & Light:

He is another Sufi Saint of Lahore who is symbol of love and light, the Panjabis have ever seen. Mela Chiraghan is still one of the largest festivals of Lahore where Qawwalis and other mystic songs are sung with great flavor of love and affection, as Madhoo Lal Hussain’s poetry is based on the tunes and rhythm of music and Kafi form of music was invented by Hazrat Madhoo Lal Hussain. Mela Chiraghan has been a symbol of devotion, harmony and defiance of social customs and his message is equally important in today’s Pakistan. The Malangs from all over Pakistan used to gather here to participate in the Mela and stayed weeks long to celebrate the Urs.

How to get there:

It is located close to Shalimar Garden and if one is reached Shalimar garden that means you are there. The backyard gate of Shalimar Garden is also a path to the shrine but these days the gate remains closed. There is now Orange Train (public transport) running right at the front of Shalimar Garden and many other public transports (vans) are running on this route.

Visiting Hours:
As it is not a routine tourist place, so there are no fix timings to visit but it is better to visit during the day time.

18/04/2019

Haveli Restaurant in Lahore
Haveli Restaurant is one of the architectural landmarks of Lahore, also used to be known as Haveli Khalil Khan – now converted into a dining place. The word Haveli symbolize a house that gives a touch of palatial living style building with old traditional style but in country sides of Punjab, it is used for a place to be used for staying of guests and well as for the cattle.

Haveli Restaurant is nestled in the lap of the history, it offers superb views of Badshahi Mosque (remained the largest mosque for over 300 years), Gurdwara Dera Sahib Ji, Samadhi Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Lahore Fort, Hazuri Bagh, and the Minar-e-Pakistan (it is more than a romantic scene, especially if it is night time when all the buildings are well illuminated.

As tourist your visit there would be exceedingly enjoyable not only offers an atmosphere of a medieval tavern; there is an exquisite rare series of old houses now turned into new Food Eiffel Tower of Pakistan). The atmosphere of dining in Haveli Restaurant takes you thousands years back where people of different faiths lived together on these narrow streets and in small Havelis and definitely Street of Lahore. One finds wooden balconies retrieved from old dwellings and Havelis, Marble Jhakoras, Redstone slabs that had once supported the projections and now serve as bases of dining tables. Then there are old wooden doors with beautiful carvings by master craftsman of the early nineteenth century that adorned the now extinct mansions of the nobility. These doors embellish the transit from one room to the other in the restaurant. This is not all; the wooden columns, the windows and doors are nicely carved with old traditional designs with fabulous paintings of Mughal’s era on the inside walls. They display the stark reality of life in the historic entertainment quarters of the Walled City-the votaries of pleasure.
The taste of food served here is fabulous but little expensive, as the atmosphere here cost more than the actual food. The restaurant serves the variety of food including Bar-B-Q and the other continental food. It is highly booked, so it is advised to make prior booking for dinner.
How to get there:
Haveli Restaurant is located alongside the wall of Badshahi Mosque and right in the middle on the corner of Food Street on Fort Road. It is easily accessible by Tourist Sightseeing Buses and by taxi or private conveyance to the place. One needs to have complete fitness to climb the stairs all the way up to the rooftop.

Contact for reservation: Cell # 0321 465 1051, 0300 841 4899