Travelogue: Sojourn in Lahore, Pakistan
Rightfully hailed as ‘the Land of the pure and the Holy’, Pakistan is homeland to a plethora of rich cultural values, toothsome cuisines, picturesque landscapes and gigantic historical sites. The motherland boasts an incredibly hospitable population and the people possess the mantra of welcoming their guests cordially with glee and open arms. Pakistan is a safe haven for the tourists, and provides the perfect abode for people who are willing to enjoy their sabbatical in one of the most exciting, dynamic and diverse countries in the world.
No sojourn in Pakistan is complete without paying a visit to her heartland, Lahore. Being a hub of opulent heritage, majestic architecture, sprawling lawns and sumptuous food, Lahore offers an assortment of attractions to the tourists. The hustle and bustle in the city compliments its charm and aptly amplifies its friskiness. People from all facets of life exhibit incredible zeal and zest in their daily activities, and their fervor sets them apart. Lahore is a mosaic of exquisite antiquity and spectacular modernization. Centuries of grandeur and splendour have glorified this city, and people from all over the world are captivated by it.
Lahore’s magnificence certainly piqued our interest, and we were fascinated with the notion of capturing its scintillating charisma. It was indubitably a chance to peep into this sprightly city and to embrace it whole-heartedly, whilst delving deeply into facts that make this riveting place stand out. For a hardcore Islamabad citizen living in an idyllic city, Lahore provided the prospect of a journey into another alluring, enthralling world.
We did not sleep a wink the entire night prior to our tour. The trio of us set on course at 7 am on a chilly Saturday morning. There was a certain nip in the air, so we had to brave the cold breeze. We were already having goosebumps while looking forward to the visit. We travelled via motorway, and treated ourselves with sandwiches and coffee along the way. Thankfully, we did not encounter fog whatsoever during our journey, which would have definitely played havoc with our strict timeline. Hence, we were able to careen along at breakneck speed. After a couple of pit stops, we reached our destination at 11 am. The winter sun had taken over from the clouds, and basking in the sunshine was a temptation. However, there was hardly any time to waste, and we had to get on with it immediately.
A brief account of the places that we visited is given below:
Shahi Fort: Symbol of Impregnable Defense
The most awe-inspiring collossal of Lahore is the Shahi Fort. Built with the viewpoint of fortifying the city’s defenses, this humungous structure kept invading forces at bay for centuries. The intimidating corridors, gigantic walls and secret pathways lend this place an imposing look. It is impossible not to marvel the architectural vision of the Mughals while visiting this place.
We had to employ the services of a guide who enlightened us regarding the incredible, tremendous history attached with this fort. Even though it took years to compete and cost an arm and a leg, every penny spent was worth it.
Badshahi Mosque: Reflection of Mughal Artistry
The Badshahi Mosque, Lahore is an epitome of magnificence of Mughal Sultanate, and embodies the aesthetic sense of the rulers. The mosque is located on the outskirts of the Walled City of Lahore, and is one of the most iconic landmarks of the previous millennium. It was built by Aurangzeb Alamgir in 1671. Badshahi Mosque is an epic example of Mughal mastery over architecture. Its exterior is embellished with carved red sandstone, and the awe-inspiring mosque is a sight to behold. It is the second largest mosque in Pakistan and has a monumental history attached to it.
During our visit, a sense of spirituality and ecstasy completely engulfed us. We were simply spellbound by the grand structure in front of us, and were thoroughly mesmerized.
Haveli Restaurant: Drool-worthy Food in a Relic Setting
Lahore is the hub of delicious foods and there is no better place to treat taste buds than the Food Street. Situated right alongside the Badshahi Mosque, Food Street is a place you don’t want to miss. It encompasses the rich history of the Walled City of Lahore. Food Street is an amalgamation of mouth-watering dishes served in the most serene, enchanting environment. The food savvy tourists are really in for a treat when they visit this place.
The entire crew was fascinated with the idea of dining at this place, and we chose the Haveli Restaurant. The restaurant is a montage of vintage Lahori heritage and modernism. We were famished so we ordered a bar b q platter alongside a host of other dishes. The grand prayer area of Badshahi Mosque was visible to us from the roof top, which proved to be the icing on the cake. We thoroughly relished the view while devouring the savory food.
Afterwards, we enjoyed tea from the stall situated outside the restaurant. We also wandered around the area, with the cool breeze ruffling our hair while we sipped tea. We also treated ourselves with ‘meetha paan’ and the appetizing ‘gulab jamans’ (a delectable eastern delicacy).
Truck Stop: Cultural Heritage and Splendid Food
Asians have the propensity of adding a certain flavour and flourish to everything they do, and our sensational truck art bears testimony to that. Pakistani trucks are embellished with beautiful art coupled with witty remarks. Hence, there is nothing better than enjoying a winter meal in a setting that vivifies this truck art. The Truck Stop offers one such magnificent setting.
Our time at the restaurant was nothing short of exhilarating. We ate a hearty meal whilst classical songs played in the background, beautifying the already spectacular ambience. We complimented the singer by singing at the top of our voices. The staff was very cordial and strived hard to make us feel cherished and comfortable. This was our final pit stop, and we felt a tinge of sadness since our adventure was going to culminate.
Darkness had completely descended over the Metropolitan city when we decided to embark for Islamabad. The clock was ticking along, so we had to rush back. However, we were praying that fog would not play spoilsport. Gratefully, once again weather did not prove to be an impediment, and we arrived at Islamabad around 1 am.
In a nutshell, our foray into Lahore proved to be the most scintillating adventure. People in Lahore welcomed us with true Lahori spirit and were really instrumental towards successful completion of our tour. We relished digging into various aspects of the Punjab capital during our short stay, even though we wished we could loiter around a bit more.
