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A 12 Days Pakistan Hindu Heritage Tour
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By WoP ResearchDesk
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Bhakti or devotion to God and the gods of Hinduism is an integral part of the Hindu faith. It is an entire realm of knowledge and practice unto itself – ranging from the childlike wonder of the unknown and the mysterious to the deep reverence which comes with understanding of esoteric inter-workings of the three worlds.
Hinduism views existence as composed of three worlds. The First World is the physical universe; the Second World is the subtle astral or mental plane of existence in which the devas, angels and spirits live; and the Third World is the spiritual universe of the Mahadevas, “great shining beings,” the Hindu Gods.
Hinduism is the harmonious working together of these three worlds.
Lord Ganesha is such a being. He can think just as we can think. He can see and understand and make decisions – so vast in their implications and complexity that we could never comprehend them with our human faculties and understanding.
“Great indeed are the gods who have sprung out of Brahman.”
-Atharva Veda
What is a Yatra?
Yatra is self-purification. It increases one’s proximity to the Lord and therefore one is to go on a pilgrimage’. Yatra is an important part of Hindu ritual, and many annual yatras in the subcontinent are part of Hindus’ historical adherence to their faith that has existed since the birth of the human civilization to the present day, when technical superiority has enabled man to enjoy worldly comforts never seen before in history, yet at the same time has engulfed him in confusions, frustration and depressions.
In this ever going tussle between physical comforts and spiritual confusions comes the Hindu concept of yatras that relieves one of the burden of doing bad things and indulging into a world of noble, sublime deeds done in the service of the Supreme Being and its various manifestations.. As per Hindu tradition, it is desirable to perform yatra to various Hindu places. However it is not mandatory and hence yatra belongs to Kamya ritual.
Yatra and its Association with Hindu Scriptures
In the Hindu religion, a pilgrimage site is the one that oozes with spiritual and religious vibrations, special powers, knowledge and even miraculous capacities. In the subcontinent, the confluence of sacred rivers, places linked to Puranic stories like Samudra manthan (churning of the great ocean) and Hindu legends like Mahabharata and Ramayana have now become most visited pilgrimages.
In many Hindu scriptures like Rigveda (1500 BC) wanderers are tremendously praised. Various other epics of the later age including Mahabharata (300 BC – 300 AD), Puranas (300 BC – 750 AD) and many vernacular scriptures have also mentioned particular sites that grant boons including sound health, wealth, prosperity, progeny, and moksha (salvation). Religious scriptures also guide Hindus to perform the last rites of the deceased kin in a pilgrimage site.
The Concept of Tirth Yatra
Pilgrimages which are performed collectively in a group are called tirtha yatras. As mentioned in the Hindu Dharma Shastra, a tirth yatra is generally executed bare footed without vehicles or comforts. The concept of tirth yatra is mentioned in many scriptures like Skhanda Purana, Sthala Purana, Maha Bhagavatha, Sri Venkatachala Mahatmiya, Maha Bharatha, Brahma Purana, Matsya Purana, and Brahmanda Purana.
As mentioned in Sthala Purana, great sages in the ancient days specially used to perform tapas (meditation) and other spiritual activities in these sacred tirth places. Hence, these sites are guided by spiritual forces that can wipe out one’s evil tendencies and take him towards the path gyan (knowledge), bhakti (devotion) and self-realization.
With this scared duty in mind, we offer our Hindu guests our immaculate arrangements to undertake the holy journeys across Pakistan.
Day 1 Karachi
We meet you on your arrival in Karachi. Transfer to Hotel, Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 Karachi
Next day in the morning, we will begin our tour visiting the Old Shiva temple of Clifton. Then we visit the National Museum of Pakistan learning briefly about the history of the country. Later view the rich Hindu heritage gallery in the museum that houses some of the best and the oldest objects of Hindu religion.
Afternoon is free for shopping, evening dinner outside, overnight at hotel
Day 3 Karachi
Early morning at 6 a.m. will be driving to Las Bela to see the Asthan of Hinglaj Matajee, one of the most important Tirthas in the subcontinent.
Hinglaj is a holy shrine, located about 250km North West of Karachi, on the banks of River Hingol on the Makran coast of Balochistan. The holy site of pilgrimage is situated in a mountain cave “Hinglaj” on river bank of “Hinghol” at the foothills of “Kheerthar” mountains in Lyari district of the Balochistan province.
Hinglaj is one of the famous and biggest “Tirthas” of Indo Pak subcontinent. One reaches there by road via main Karachi – Quetta Highway upto Zero Point for about 75 miles and then by road towards the west via Lyari town and then towards the signal Fauji Camp Stop, crossing Aghore River – passing through Goongi River and then finally stopping at Asha Pura Sarai (inn) worship spots.
The worship spots for Ganesha, Kalika Mata, Guru Gorakh Nath Dooni, Brahma Kundh, Tir Kundh, Gurunanak Kharao, Ramjarokha Bethak, Aneel Kundh located at Chorasi Mountain, Chandra Goop, Khari river and Aghore Pooja are the main pilgrimages (Tirthasthan) for devotees of Mata Hinglaj.
Will return to Karachi late in the evening, overnight at hotel
Day 4 Hyderabad
Early morning breakfast is at hotel. Drive to Hyderabad via Thatta, en route will visit the Chaukundi necropolis from 15th to 18th century rectangular shaped Muslim graves depicting beautiful geometrical, floral & pictorial designs carved in sandstone. Men’s graves have intricately designed turbans on top and those of ladies have jewelry carved on them.
We shall then visit Banbhore where we will see the temple of Daibal. Banbhore was the first city from where Arabs first entered India. Its also known as the gateway of Islam.
Later will be driving onward to Makli, to watch the famous architecture of the mausoleums, which are similar to the architecture of Fatehpur Sikri. We will also visit a Hindu temple said to be from early 12th century. Later shall visit Shahjehan Mosque built 2 years after Taj Mahal by Shahjehan. Drive back to Hyderabad. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 Hyderabad
Full day tour of Hyderabad, visit the famous Pakka Qila and Shahi bazaar and also visit the Museum of Sindhology & Museum of Sindh both of which present excellent ethnological galleries. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 Larkana
Today we will drive along the west bank of the River Indus to Larkana, en-route we will visit the Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and Manchar lake. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 Sukkur
Early morning Drive to visit the Moen Jo daro Museum, later visit area rich residential are of Moen Jo daro both sites will be visited. We will then move on to the Archeological Site museum which carries artifacts from the Stone Age to pre-Moen Jo daro culture to peak Moen Jo Daro period. .
Later will be driving to Sukkur where boats will be ready to take us to the island of Sadh Belo in River Indus. The temple is built at the point where Baba Bankhandi,
(a sadhu who left the worldly luxuries and made “Bun” or Jungle his abode). It is said that Mata Sarsawai had appeared here to give her Darshan to the Sadhu and still pays visits.
We will see different aspects of this temple and Hindus can do the rituals. Special permission will be arranged from The Government of Sindh for this. Then visit the Town of Sukkur Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 Multan
Today we will drive to Multan. Arrive in Multan in the evening. Overnight at hotel
Day 9 Lahore
Early Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Lahore, en route visit Harrppa the sister city of Mohen Jo Daro. Harrappa was excavated in 1911 and a huge mass of artifacts from the Indus civilization was found here. You will see the Harrappa site and museum in detail. Evening Special Dinner at the famous food street in Lahore, Overnight at hotel
Day 10 Lahore
Full day tour of Lahore, visit Lahore Fort, witness the Hindu influence on the architecture of Akbar, Visit the Sikh Gallery to see the articles from Raja Ranjeet Singh period and the majestic Badshahi mosque. . Evening Drive to Wahgah to witness the flag ceremony at the Pak-India border. Overnight at hotel
Day 11 Lahore
Full day visit & a full day Excursion to Chakwal to see the temple of Katasaraj. Overnight at hotel (Lahore).
Day 12 Airport
Morning drive to Wagah border for journey back into India/air port.
Included in tour package:
- AC transportation
- Hotel
- Meals (vegetarian)
Package Price per person:
- Pak Rs. 1, 15,000, 00 (1 lakh & 15 thousand only)
- Air tickets Lahore–Karachi–Lahore not included.
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