In 2003, during our university summer break, my friends and I planned a trip to Gilgit Baltistan. We found out there were discounted air tickets for students, but it was still expensive for us. So, we took an 18-hour Natco bus ride from Rawalpindi on Karakoram highway and finally reached Gilgit city.
To our surprise, the days were warm, but the nights were chilly. Gilgit city didn't have much to offer, except for relaxing by the river. A local suggested we visit a Buddhist site 9 kilometers away. We hitched a ride on a tractor trolley and a short hike led us to the Kargah Buddha site.
Kargah Buddha, locally known as Yashani, is a 15-feet tall statue carved on a mountain about 150 feet above the ground. It's a unique archaeological site, a 7th-century Buddha figure deeply carved into solid rock. This site is located outside Gilgit city and was once a center of Buddhism from the 3rd to the 11th century.
According to the renowned Japanese scholar Dr. Haruko Tsuchiya, this figure is of chambs style, distinct from Gandhara Art. It's a Buddhaisatta vs Maitreya figure, similar to the one found in Mulbelandakh. This site provided us with a fascinating glimpse into ancient Buddhist history amidst the stunning landscapes of Gilgit Baltistan.
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| Gilgit City |
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| Kargah Nala |
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| Kargah Nala |
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| Hiking towards Kargah Nala |
