Once Upon a Time in Nuwakot - A Wooden Town of Leepa

October 09, 2012

Leepa, Azad Kashmir, is also famous for its typical Kashmiri style of architecture, mostly in the form of 3 to 5 storied wooden houses.

The Leepa Valley is one of the beautiful valley in Pakistan located 45 kilometres rom Muzaffarabad. The valley has many extravagant touristic scenes. It has high peak green mountains covered with pines trees. In the entire winter season the leepa valley is covered with snow. In summer season people from all over the Pakistan come to visit . The valley is divided into the Leepa, Reshian, Dao Khan, and Chananian sections and is open to tourists from May to November.

I have visited this place on October 09, 2012

The Hidden Heating System & Royal Bath of Shalimar Garden

April 30, 2013

A few years back, I read an article regarding the preservation of the Shalimar garden. It was of great surprise for me of knowing about the presence of a Royal Bath and heating system inside this place. 

The thing which amazed me more was that my home is situated within walking distance from Shalimar garden, and I never know about this facility although passing in front of that site more than a thousand times in my life.

The Shalimar garden was constructed on the orders of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1641-42. layering Persian influences over medieval Islamic garden traditions. Shalimar garden face great destruction in the middle of the eighteenth century when Lahore was ruled by three Sikh Chieftans. However, in the early nineteenth century, it was again repaired and rehabilitated when Punjab was ruled under Raja Ranjeet Singh.

This place was under construction for many years. Conservationists knew that there was a heating system in what was known as the Royal Bath, but its exact location was not known. During the conservation process, it was observed that the Hypocaust (the heating system) is in the eastern chamber of the caldarium (A caldarium was a room with a hot plunge bath, used in a Roman bath complex) below the hot water reservoir. The Hypocaust is a sunken heating chamber to warm a room; an aqueduct is provided for the clean cold water from the northeastern side. The Bath is unique and matchless among the other bath systems of the Mughals. The system is on the eastern side of the main hamam and has hot air ducts leading to it from west and south to make the floors of baths warm. Towards the east, the same ducts serve as fuel for firing. For the water-supply arrangement to the hamam there was a well on the eastern side which supplied water to it through a masonry channel (aqueduct). The channel was also connected to the water tank constructed on the southeast corner of the hamam. A water channel was also arranged from Shah Nahar and connected to the tank. After feeding the hamam, the masonry channel takes its course to the top of the peripheral wall and reaches the lowest terrace. Terracotta screens are provided at inlet points.

TRAGIC FROM THE LOST-GURUDWARA PEHLI PATSHAHI AT MANAK, DISTT LAHORE

October 06, 2013

The village of Manak is situated approximately 45 kilometers from Lahore, along the Raiwind road. To reach the village, one must alight from the bus at Pajian and travel about 4 kilometers off the main road. A well-paved road leads to the village, providing easy access for visitors.

The historical significance of this village stems from the presence of Jagat Guru, who initially arrived in the nearby village of Pajian from Manga. The villagers welcomed him initially but later began mocking him. Feeling unwelcome, Guru Dev Ji decided to leave the village and settled in the area just outside. In response to a follower's inquiry about his departure, Guru Ji referred to the villagers as "Paji" (mean-spirited), giving rise to the name Pajian for the village, while the surrounding mound came to be known as Manak. Over time, the village expanded and flourished.

The Gurdwara in Manak is an impressive three-story building, characterized by its architectural beauty and spaciousness. The complex includes various sections such as the Langar Hall, Prakashasthan (where Guru Granth Sahib is ceremonially placed), inn, foyer, and a diwan hall designed in the style of a baradari. Adjacent to the shrine, there are also Samadhs (memorials) of Udasi Sadhus (a sect of ascetics) and a water tank, which unfortunately has turned into a stagnant pool over time. Tragically, these once-magnificent structures are now in a state of decay and face the risk of becoming mere ruins. In fact, the central building of the Gurdwara collapsed in the past two years, further emphasizing the urgency of preservation efforts.

The village community has shown its devotion to the Gurdwara by generously gifting 82 ghumaon (a land measurement) of land for its maintenance and sustenance. The Jat community in the village, who share a common ancestral lineage, includes individuals of various religious backgrounds. Some converted to Islam, others embraced Sikhism, while the remaining adhered to Hinduism. Despite their differences, the village holds an annual Visakhi fair, during which all residents, regardless of their religion, refrain from cooking in their own homes and partake of communal meals served in the Langar. The responsibility of managing the Langar alternates among Sikhs, Muslims, and Hindus, with each group taking charge for one day.

In the aftermath of the partition in 1947, a girls' school was established within the Gurdwara premises. However, over time, the school was relocated, leaving the building vacant. When refugees from Mewat settled in the area, they did not prioritize the upkeep of the Gurdwara, resulting in the erosion of its once-beautiful floral designs on the walls and subsequent roof collapses. Today, the walls themselves are deteriorating, further endangering the structural integrity of the Gurdwara.

It is imperative that immediate action be taken to preserve this important historical and cultural site. Efforts should be made to restore and maintain the Gurdwara complex, ensuring that its architectural splendor and spiritual significance are safeguarded for future generations. Collaborative initiatives involving the local community, historical preservation organizations, and relevant authorities can play a pivotal role in revitalizing this revered place of worship.