TWO OF THE OLDEST MOSQUES OF SUBCONTINENT IN SKARDU

Nature is multidimensional and if you don’t believe this, go to Skardu. You can enjoy the desert, the crystal clear water streams, lakes and roaring rivers, snow capped mountains and the forests. Besides, Skardu valley has a historical dimension too. Not only the famous Khaplu palace, the Shigar Fort and of course the historic PTDC K2 motel which has been hosting the expeditions teams since decades, Skardu is also the origin of two of the oldest mosques of subcontinent.

Khilangrong Mosque, Shigar

One of these is in Shigar Valley and the other in Khaplu. The mosque in Shigar Valley is known as Khilangrong. The mosque in Shigar Valley is believed to have sustained the rough times and weathers for more than four centuries but just like most of the historical sites in Pakistan, its condition is miserable. However, it was encompassed by a boundary wall which was broken from the front and the back side. As I entered the mosque area, I saw some goats and a dusty, wooden, two-floor architecture. It was quite evident that this mosque was not in use and may never be used in the future either. Like most of the housing architectures in the region, the mosque has wooden structure with beautiful wood work on it that should be preserved for our future generations.

Woodwork at Khilangrong Mosque

The second mosque is in Khaplu Valley, and it is believed to be the oldest in the subcontinent. It is called as Chaqchan Mosque.The mosque is a splendor in all its beauty. The interior has a lot of prayer rugs (known as jaa-e-namaz) and men and women come and pray here in the mosque.

Chaqchan Mosque

Extended part of Chaqchan Mosque

TOURIST BUS IN LAHORE A HOAX?

tion and I have several reasons for it that I would like to mention in this post.

When Jagat Guru came to village Pajian from Manga, the villagers initially welcomed him but later made fun of him. Jagat Guru left the village and stayed at this place outside the village. Some follower asked Guru Dev Ji as to why he had moved out of the village. Guru Ji said those were “Paji” (mean) and hence the village cane to be called Pajian and -the mound came to he known as Manak. It subsequently developed into a big village.

The 3-storeyed building of Gurdwara had been built beautifully and it was spacious. The complex incJudpd a Langar Hall, Prakashasthan, inn, foyer, and a diwan hall built like a haradari. There were Samadhs of Udasi Sadhus and a water tank close to the shrine. The tank has now become a stagnant pool. These buildings are in the process of decay and may become a heap of dust. The central building collapsed during the last two years.

82 ghumaon of land has been gifted by villagers to the Gurdwara. The Jats of this village belong to the same grandfather. Some of them were converted to Islam, others became Sikhs while the rest remained Hindus. Visakhi fair is held and during the fair the villagers are not allowed to cook in their homes. All, irrespective of their religion, take food from Langar. It is managed by Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus alternately for one day. After 1947 a girls school was housed in it but later on the premises was left vacant. When refugees from Mewat arrived they were settled here and they did not bother to maintain it. Floral designs on the walls were erased. It was followed by the caving in of roofs. Now the walls too are falling apart.