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Changa
Manga Wildlife
Reserve
If you would like to
take an
environmentally-rewarding
tour which is
do-able in a day,
you will need to
travel along Multan
Road to Changa Manga
Wildlife Reserve.
The Reserve is
situated
approximately 70 km
(43 miles) from
Lahore and will take
approximately one
hour to get there by
road. It is located
approximately
halfway between
Lahore and Sahiwal
and 10 km from
National Highway.
This oldest
irrigated plantation
in the subcontinent
was created in 1890
to provide a ready
source of fuel for
the efficient
functioning of the
railways, which
required wood to
produce steam. The
visit is all the
more enjoyable
because of the mini
train consisting of
small steam engines
which pull scaled
down 12-person
bogeys through the
thick forest. The
reserve now contains
a host of deer which
can be seen in their
pens. The pleasant
meandering walks
through the forest
and lake, boating
facilities and
overnight stay
arrangements provide
a much needed
respite from the
bustle of city life.
Hiran Minar
To view one of the
most spectacular
Mughal monuments
built by the great
naturalist Emperor
Jahangir, you will
need to visit
Shaikhupura,
approximately 58 km
from Lahore.
Shaikhupura itself
is named after
Shaikhu, the pet
name given by
Emperor Akbar to his
son Salim.
The Hiran Minar (the
deer- or
antelope-tower)
consists of an
octagonal pavilion
placed on an
elevated base and
approached by a long
causeway set within
a large lake. The
corners of the lake
are defined by four
single-storey
pavilions with
shallow pyramidal
roofs. On the
opposite side of the
pavilion, the
causeway extends as
a pathway linking it
with a tall tower.
This tall minor
(tower) is
constructed in the
form of a victory
tower in which the
favorite antelope of
Emperor Jahangir is
buried. It is set
within landscaped
grounds and can be
seen from long
distances.
The whole setting
has a peaceful and
timeless air adorned
by some of the
earliest Jahangiri
structures. The
Hiran Minar is among
the few buildings
that Jahangir
mentions in detail
in his memoirs (Tuzuk-i-
Jahangiri or
Jahangirnama). Even
as a prince, this
was his favorite
hunting place where
he founded a village
called Jahangirabad
and ordered the
construction of a
royal residence. The
building was
completed at a
princely sum of Rs.
150,000. Jahangir
would record its
completion in his
Tuzuk with
considerable
delight:
"Undoubtedly the
tank is very broad,
and in the middle
there is a
delightful building.
...... Really it is
a kingly hunting
place."
When Jahangir's
favored antelope
died, he ordered the
construction of a
tower in his memory.
According to
Jahangir "Mansraj
was without equal in
fights with tame
antelopes and in
hunting wild ones."
The Master
calligrapher Mulla
Muhammad Hussain
Kashmir; who "was
the chief of the
elegant writers of
the day" inscribed
on stone the
following
inscription: "In
this enchanting
place an antelope
came into the
world-holding (jahan-giri)
net of the
God-knowing ruler
Nuruddin Jahangir
Padshah. In the
space of one month,
having overcome his
desert fierceness,
he became the head
of the special
antelopes."
Although Jahangir
was a great hunter
who prided himself
in recording the
large number of
animals killed
during the royal
hunts, he was
visibly grieved on
the death of Mansraj.
He provided
protection to all
deer and antelopes
in the area in
remembrance of his
pet antelope,
ordering that "no
person should hunt
the deer of this
plain and that their
flesh should be to
Hindus and
Muhamadans as is the
flesh of cows and
pigs."
Apart from its
historical
association and the
impressive
architectural tour
deforce, the water
reservoir provides
recreational
facilities in the
form of motor boats.
At a charge of Rs.
15/person, you can
take a round of the
lake and enjoy the
scenery once the
exclusive preserve
of the royalty.
Nankana Sahib
One of the most holy
places of Sikh
religion is situated
29 km (18 miles)
from Lahore,
southwest of
Shaikhupura. Sikhs
from all over the
world come to visit
Nankana Sahib,
located 29 km
southwest of
Shaikhupura. Two
major temples or
gurdawaras are
situated here which
are both associated
with the founder of
Sikh religion, Baba
Guru Nanak. The
first Gurdawara is
called Bal Lila
where Guru Nanak is
believed to have
spent his childhood.
The second Gurdawara
is called
Janamasthan where he
was born. The
Janamasthan houses
many of the relics
associated with the
founder Guru Nanak.
Wagah Border
Those interested in
seeing the
impressive daily
ritual of the
Flag-hoisting and
Flag-lowering
ceremonies at
Pakistan-India
border, it is worth
traveling on G.T.
(Grand Trunk) Road
for 29 km (18 miles)
to Wagah. The
Flag-lowering
ceremony, which
takes place before
sunset is
particularly
interesting. It is
performed by active
and smartly turned
out Pakistani
soldiers and
receives spontaneous
applause from the
audience gathered to
watch the ceremony.
The ritual comprises
a handshake between
the captains of the
two countries,
followed by a battle
of angered looks,
stamping with vigor
to show military
strength. The
blowing of trumpets
and the march past
add to the colorful
ceremony. It is a
unique and thrilling
event much enjoyed
by people who come
from long distances
to view it.
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