Jis ne ‘Lahore’ nii dekhiyaa woh jamiyaa hi nahin
Lahore lies in the heart of Pakistan. Since it is really close to my heart, I decided to write about it even before writing about my own hometown.
I shall begin my article with the fascinating history of Lahore.
Mythology suggests that Lahore is named after Lava, son of the Hindu god Rama. Even the river Ravi, which flows through northern Lahore, is named after the Hindu goddess Durga. It is believed that Lahore was once ruled by the famous Rajput king, Prithviraj Chauhan.
Lahore has been a home to different cultures, religions , ethnicities and traditions for many years. That's the reason why people from various backgrounds connect to the city immediately. There is a saying in Punjabi, “Jis ne Lahore ni dekhiyaa, wo jamiyaa hi nahin”. This turned out to be true when I witnessed the beauty of the city. Lahore has become an integral part of my life, not because I study here, but because it has taught me lessons I wouldn't have learned otherwise. The spirit of Lahore has taught me to be happy and independent.
The city is adorned with beautiful architecture, although the it's real beauty lies in the heart of Old Lahore, surrounded by the rich aromas of authentic Lahori cuisine.
The monsoon in Lahore is the truly memorable! It is the perfect season to enjoy some chai and a hot box of masala French fries!
The Cuckoo’s den, a famous art gallery, has an interesting history . The artist’s mother and sisters were prostitutes who worked in the known ‘Heera Mandi’ in Old Lahore.
The Lahore fort and the Walled city of Lahore served as homes to the Mughals. These sites comprised of bathrooms (Hamam khana), their bedrooms (Aaram gahh), their courtyards. The famous Sheesh Mahal, bulit for Mumtaz Mahal, is located here.
There is a very beautiful Zoo in Lahore situated on a hill station. The famous Pak Tea House in Lahore was the thinking spot for poets like Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Manto and is located in Anarkali Bazaar. Speaking of the Anarkali Bazaar, the market place is one of the oldest markets in South Asia, almost 200 years old,named after Jahangir's lover, Anarkali. Another spot to be watched out for is the Liberty market, owing to the good quality of products sold by a variety of shops at reasonable rates. One can enjoy some mouth-watering chaat, dahi bhallay, gol gappay, road wali fries and ice-cream.
Lahore is a small, beautiful city. It is where the old meets the new. The culture and the history of Lahore is well preserved.
Lahore is a simple, bautiful city. I have met some of the most delightful people here, speaking a variety of languages. Lahore must be explored-it hides some of the most alluring secrets!