Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Jandial Temple (built 2nd century BC to 2nd century A.D.)
Jandial Temple (built 2nd century BC to 2nd century A.D.)
Located in Jandial, about a mile from the north gate of Sirkap, are the remains of Jandial temple, one of the most unique buildings in Central Asia. Probably intended as a Zoroastrian temple, the building closely follows the paradigm of the temples of classical Greece, consisting of a central shrine with four Ionic columns supporting a porch. The main shrine is rectangular in plan, but instead of the usual collonade found in Greek temples, the wall is solid masonry with pierced window openings. Behind the main shrine is a set of stairs that leads to a platform where a Parthian fire Sanctuary probably existed in the 1st century B.C.
The Greek influence is not surprising, as Hellenic culture spread through the area in the wake of Alexander the Great's conquest in the first few centuries B.C.
Jain Stupa (6th-2nd centuries B.C.)
Jain Stupa (6th-2nd centuries B.C.)
Just a few dozen meters from the Shrine of the Double-Headed Eagle sits the Jain Stupa, a relic of the Sirkap city period (2nd century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D.). The shrine is badly ruined. Nothing of the superstructure survives. The persepolitan columns with lion ornamentation that sit on the four corners were brought here from the ruins of the courtyard.
Just a few dozen meters from the Shrine of the Double-Headed Eagle sits the Jain Stupa, a relic of the Sirkap city period (2nd century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D.). The shrine is badly ruined. Nothing of the superstructure survives. The persepolitan columns with lion ornamentation that sit on the four corners were brought here from the ruins of the courtyard.
source: http://www.orientalarchitecture.com
Double-Headed Eagle Shrine, Taxila, Pakistan
Double-Headed Eagle Shrine (2nd century B.C. to 2nd century A.D.)
Along the main street of Sirkap, the ancient city, sits the Double-Headed Eagle Shrine. Its original name is lost, but is now referred to as the double-Headed Eagle Shrine because of the bird bas-relief that adorns the arch (images two and three). Of Scythian origin, the double-headed bird motif is common in Eurasia, appearing in Byzantine and European armor crests as well.
The shrine is awash in Bactrian Greek influencess brought to the area by Alexander's army, who unwittingly left a Hellenic cultural imprint. The columns decorating the sides of the shrine are clearly Corinthian and the pediment is classically Greek. This is not to say that the shrine is entirely Greek - far from it. There are also Indian influences, notably in the other niches (image 3). The one on the left is almost an ogee (onion-shaped) arch, while the one on the right is a torina, or ornamented Indian gateway.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Dharmarajika Stupa (built 2nd century A.D.)
Dharmarajika Stupa is the earliest Buddhist monument in Pakistan. It was one of eight shrines constructed in the 3rd century B. C. during the reign of Emperor Asoka of the Mauryan dynasty to house relics of the Buddha. Over time the shrine was continually expanded, reaching its largest size in the 2nd century A.D. Now a ruin, the stupa was once coated with lime plaster and gilding, though these have fallen away along with a seven-tier umbrella stone that once crowned the top.
Near the stupa are the remains of vast monasteries that are barely distinguishable but for the foundation stones.
Bhir Mound (6th-2nd centuries B.C.)
Bhir Mound (6th-2nd centuries B.C.)
The Bhir mound is all that remains of a thriving city that flourished from the 6th to the 2nd centuries B. C. Built on a small plateau in the open fields, the city took advantage of the various trade routes crisscrossing central Asia. Though fortified, the city was no match for Alexander the Great, who conquered the area in the 3rd century B.C. It was here that King Ambhi received Alexander and his Greek armies. Little survives of the city beyond foundation stones, but these tell us that the streets were narrow and the house plans very irregular. There is little evidence of planning - most of the streets are very haphazard. The houses were probably made of stone rubble with wooden ceilings. Settlement at the Bhir mound site ended when the Bactrian Greeks built a new city called Sirkap (also archived on this website).
The Bhir mound is all that remains of a thriving city that flourished from the 6th to the 2nd centuries B. C. Built on a small plateau in the open fields, the city took advantage of the various trade routes crisscrossing central Asia. Though fortified, the city was no match for Alexander the Great, who conquered the area in the 3rd century B.C. It was here that King Ambhi received Alexander and his Greek armies. Little survives of the city beyond foundation stones, but these tell us that the streets were narrow and the house plans very irregular. There is little evidence of planning - most of the streets are very haphazard. The houses were probably made of stone rubble with wooden ceilings. Settlement at the Bhir mound site ended when the Bactrian Greeks built a new city called Sirkap (also archived on this website).
ISLAMABAD
Faisal Mosque
This beautiful mosque was designed by a renowned Turkish Architect, Vedat Dalokay and named after the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. It is spread over 1,89,705 sq.metres with 88 meters high minarets and 40 meters high main prayer hall. The main prayer hall can accommodate 10,000 persons while the covered porticos and verandahs can take over 24,000 worshipers. The main courtyard has space for 40,000 people.UniversitiesSix universities in Islamabad/Rawalpindi have taken onto themselves, six different kinds of educational responsibilities. Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) was established in 1973 in sector H-8. Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) was established in 1967 while International Islamic University (IIU), located in the vicinity of Shah Faisal Mosque, was created in November 1980. The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) was founded in 1991, The National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Islamabad, the Fatima Jinnah Women’s University and the Arid Agriculture University in Rawalpindi are also spreading the light of knowledge among Pakistani youth.
Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif (Bari Imam)
Noorpur Shahan, a village situated at the foot of Margallah Hills, near Quaid-e-Azam University, is famous for the mirror-studded shrine of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi, popularly known as Bari Imam. The shrine was originally built on the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The death anniversary (Urs) of Bari Imam is observed in the first week of May beginning Monday through Thursday with lot of festivities representing the Potohar culture and attracts people from all over the country. There is a cave in the Margallah Hills on the back of the shrine where Bari Imam used to sit for meditation. A mosque, where he preached and acted as Imam, is located on Hill Road. The tomb of his father is located on the Shahrah-e-Kashmir opposite the Aabpara Market. Bari Imam is said to have predicted that a new city would be built near his tomb, which will greatly serve the cause of Islam.
Shrine of Syed Meher Ali ShahThe shrine of Syed Meher Ali Shah of Golra Sharif is located 18 km from Rawalpindi, in sector E-11 of Islamabad. He was descendant of a Syed family and had links with Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani of Baghdad. He was born in 1859, preached and spread the message of Islam during the turbulent times in South Asia. He also wrote beautiful prose and poetry in Persian, Arabic and Punjabi languages, mostly in praise of God and Muhammad (peace be upon him). He died on May 11, 1937. His mausoleum was recently reconstructed comprising of a dome, and a high minaret built with marble. Devotees assemble here on the occasion of annual Urs.Saidpur VillageSaidpur, a little quaint village, famous for its pottery, is part of Islamabad today. It is located off the Hill Road to the east of Daman-e-Koh. Sultan Said Khan son of Sultan Sarang Khan founded Saidpur. He gave his daughter in marriage to Mughal Prince Saleem who later became Emperor Jehangir. Saidpur was considered a garden resort and a perpetual spring provided water for drinking and for watering gardens around during the Mughal period.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Most visited countries
Most visited countries
Main article: World Tourism rankings
The World Tourism Organization reports the following ten countries as the most visited in 2007 by number of international travelers. When compared to 2006, Ukraine entered the top ten list, surpassing Russia, Austria and Mexico. Most of the top visited countries continue to be on the European continent.
Rank
Country
UNWTORegionalMarket
Internationaltouristarrivals(2007)[4]
Internationaltouristarrivals(2006)[8]
1
France
Europe
81.9 million
79.1 million
2
Spain
Europe
59.2 million
58.5 million
3
United States
North America
56.0 million
51.1 million
4
China
Asia
54.7 million
49.6 million
5
Italy
Europe
43.7 million
41.1 million
6
United Kingdom
Europe
30.7 million
30.7 million
7
Germany
Europe
24.4 million
23.6 million
8
Ukraine
Europe
23.1 million
18.9 million
9
Turkey
Europe
22.2 million
18.9 million
10
Mexico
North America
21.4 million
21.4 million
Main article: World Tourism rankings
The World Tourism Organization reports the following ten countries as the most visited in 2007 by number of international travelers. When compared to 2006, Ukraine entered the top ten list, surpassing Russia, Austria and Mexico. Most of the top visited countries continue to be on the European continent.
Rank
Country
UNWTORegionalMarket
Internationaltouristarrivals(2007)[4]
Internationaltouristarrivals(2006)[8]
1
France
Europe
81.9 million
79.1 million
2
Spain
Europe
59.2 million
58.5 million
3
United States
North America
56.0 million
51.1 million
4
China
Asia
54.7 million
49.6 million
5
Italy
Europe
43.7 million
41.1 million
6
United Kingdom
Europe
30.7 million
30.7 million
7
Germany
Europe
24.4 million
23.6 million
8
Ukraine
Europe
23.1 million
18.9 million
9
Turkey
Europe
22.2 million
18.9 million
10
Mexico
North America
21.4 million
21.4 million
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
PAKISTAN: "THE LAND OF THE PURE"
wrote of his concepts,
" 'Pakistan' is both a Persian and an Urdu word. It is composed of
letters taken from the names of all our homelands- 'Indian' and 'Asian',
that is Punjab, Afghania (North- West Frontier Province),
Kashmir,
Iran,
Sindh
(including Kachch and Kathiawar),
Tukharistan,
Afghanistan
and BaluchistaN. It means the land of the Paks - the spiritually
pure and clean. It symbolizes the religious beliefs and the ethnical stocks
of our people; and it stands for all the territorial constituents of our
original Fatherland. It has no other origin and no other meaning; and it
does not admit of any other interpretation."
PAKISTAN: ART, CULTURE &
ENTERTAINMENT
Art Galleries (List of some
art galleries in Pakistan)
Museums in Pakistan (List of Museums
in Pakistan)
Pakistan Television Corporation Limited
(Official PTV site)
Pakistani Bhooley
Bisray Geet (Black & White video)
Pakistani Dramas (Cast
Information and brief Story Description maintained by Hina Ashar)
Shrines
in Pakistan (List of Main shrines in Pakistan)
Urdu to
English Dictionary
PAKISTAN: ART, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
Art Galleries (List of some art galleries in Pakistan)
Museums in Pakistan (List of Museums in Pakistan)
Pakistan Television Corporation Limited (Official PTV site)
Pakistani Bhooley Bisray Geet (Black & White video)
Pakistani Dramas (Cast Information and brief Story Description maintained by Hina Ashar)
Shrines in Pakistan (List of Main shrines in Pakistan)
Urdu to English Dictionary
Museums in Pakistan (List of Museums in Pakistan)
Pakistan Television Corporation Limited (Official PTV site)
Pakistani Bhooley Bisray Geet (Black & White video)
Pakistani Dramas (Cast Information and brief Story Description maintained by Hina Ashar)
Shrines in Pakistan (List of Main shrines in Pakistan)
Urdu to English Dictionary
Shrine of Shah Rukn-e-alamAt the Sheikh Rukn-ud-Din Abul Fath (1251-1335) , Multan, Pakistan.
All rights reserved
VillagersThe villagers doing their daily life activities, Cholistan desert (Channan Peer), Punjab, Pakistan.
All rights reserved
Badshahi masjid, lahore All rights reserved
King Mosque , lahore All rights reserved
Flower of faithAt the Sheikh Rukn-ud-Din Abul Fath (1251-1335) , Multan, Pakistan.
All rights reserved
IPLT20
Team Standings - 2009
...........................MP.....W.....L.......RR........P
Mumbai................2......1.....0......+0.95.......3
Hyderabad............1.....1.....0......+2.849.......2
Chennai..................2.....1.....1......+1.83........2
Delhi......................1.....1.....0......+3.167.......2
Bangalore.................2.....1.....1......-0.43.......2
Kolkata....................2.....1.....1......-1.508.......2
Rajasthan..................2.....0.....1......-3.75.......1
Punjab.....................2.....0.....2......-1.779......0
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Welcome to Pakistan 's most comprehensive travel & tourism site.
A warm welcome from Pakistan Travel & Culture Services. Thank you for visiting this web site. Yesr 2009 is seen as new begning be in the west or in our country where recently elected democratic government is doing all it can to bring the country to peace. We at Travel & Culture remain ever more attentive and energized in 2009. Pakistan may be not much think-able for many travelers but there is a lot of interest to Visit Pakistan. Pakistan is the real India where every thing began the Indus civilization, the scripts of Ragveda, Buddhism and the very language Sanskrit.
We are also a land of the highest mountains of the world. Pakistan is very safe to visit in 2009 in the south Sindh province and in the North west Hunza Gilgit and Skardu Areas in fact you don't even need to travel/fly to the troubled areas of Islamabad, Lahore or Peshawar you can come to Hunza valley from China by road starting from May 1st 2009 Check Visit Pakistan from China
Please find below the pages for Tours for Pakistan. We also book hotels, conferences and meetings in Pakistan
Visit Pakistan from China 3 days to 20 days packages for visiting Pakistan via chinaNew Tour of Pakistan The new Tours of Pakistan keeping the security situation in mind. Muslim Art & History Tour: A Tour that will take you to the history of Muslim art & architecture in Pakistan. Pakistan's province Sindh is gateway to Islam in the East.Archeological Tour: Indus civilization to Gandhara civilization a tour that will take you in depth of the archeology of Pakistan (7000BC to 8AD) Buddhist History: Buddhism was propogated in Pakistan Ashoka was born and ruled in Pakistan Although Buddha never came to this region Buddhism developed here.North Pakistan Tour South Pakistan Tours A detailed tour of Pakistan from high mountains to the history & archeology of the southCholistan Camel Safari: Visit the desert of Cholistan on back of camel normally suited for WinterThar Desert & Thatta Tour: A desert that has history colors, culture and music plust the mystic Thatta and the Banbhore the gateway of IslamNanga Parbat Trek: Trek around the Nanga Parbat (8125 meter) 9th highest mountain in the worldJeep Safari: Visit the mountains of Pakistan on 4WD jeep with camping and easy walks.Deosai Planes: Jeep safari in the Deosai planesRakaposhi Trek: Trek around Rakaposhi 27th highest mountain in the worldK2 Concordia Trek: A trek that is dream of a trekker around K2 the 2nd highest mountain in the world.
There are over 3000 pages about Pakistan on this site, updated regularly with new information and exciting tour programs & trips in Pakistan. You may wish to
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