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A PARADISE ON EARTH "SWAT"
Swat is a valley and a district in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan with its capital as Saidu Sharif. With high mountains, green meadows, and clear lakes, it is a place of great natural beauty, and a popular destination for tourists. It was a princely state in the NWFP until it was dissolved in 1969.
This valley and the other areas along the banks of the river Swat, earliest known as Shrivastu, later Suvastu and currently the present name, is also the place of origin of the Shrivastava sub-clan of the Indo-Aryan Kayastha clan.
Swat has been inhabited for over two thousand years and was known in ancient times as Udyana. The first inhabitants were settled in well-planned towns. The independent monarchs of this region came under Achaemenid influence, before reverting back to local control in the 4th century BC. In 327 BC, Alexander the Great fought his way to Udegram and Barikot. In Greek accounts these towns have been identified as Ora and Bazira. By 305 BC, the region became a part of the Mauryan Empire. Around the 2nd century BC, the area was occupied by Buddhists, the Indo-Greeks, and the Kushans who were attracted by the peace and serenity of the land. Swat is thought to be the probable birthplace of Vajrayana Buddhism. There are many archaeological sites in the district, and Buddhist relics are common, testimony to their skills as sculptors and architects.
The Swat museum has the footprints of the Buddha, which were found in the Swat valley and can now be seen in the Swat museum. When the Buddha died, His relics (or ashes) were distributed to seven kings, who built stupas over them for veneration.
The Harmarajika stupa (Taxila) and Butkarha (Swat) stupa at Jamal Garha were among the earliest stupas of Gandhara. These had been erected on the orders of king Ashoka and contained the real relics of the Buddha.
The Gandhara school is probably credited with the first representation of the Buddha in human form, the portrayal of Buddha in his human shape, rather than shown as a symbol.
As Buddhist art developed and spread outside India, the styles developed here were imitated. For example, in China the Gandhara style was imitated in images made of bronze, with a gradual change in the features of these images. Swat, the land of romance and beauty, is celebrated throughout the world as the holy land of Buddhist learning and piety. Swat acquired fame as a place of Buddhist pilgrimage. Buddhist tradition holds that the Buddha himself came to Swat during his last reincarnation as the Guatama Buddha and preached to the people here.
It is said that the Swat was filled with fourteen hundred imposing and beautiful stupas and monasteries, which housed as many as 6,000 gold images of the Buddhist pantheon for worship and education. There are now more than 400 Buddhist sites covering an area of 160 km in Swat valley only. Among the important Buddhist excavation in Swat an important one is Butkarha-I, containing the original relics of the Buddha
Swat has a total area of 1772 square kilometers. It is located in Northern areas of Pakistan. To the south are the Malakand and Buner. To Swat's east are Shangla and Kohistan. To its west is Dir. To Swat's northwest lies Chitral and to the northeast lies Gilgit. Click here to see a map of Swat
1772 km2
34°50′00″N 72°22′00″E
Mingora 850 meter – Khwazakhela 1170 meters AMSL
The maximum temperature in July is 38 C and minimum during January is 1 C. The normal temperature is maximum 21 C and minimum 7 C.
1.5 Million (1998)
65
Muslims (99.5%), other minorities (0.5%)
The main language of the area is Pashto. The people of Swat are mainly Pashtuns, Kohistanis and Gujars. Some have very distinctive features and claim to be descendants of the army of Alexander the Great.
The people of the Kalam region in northern Swat are known as Kohistanis and speak the Torwali and Kalami languages. There are also some Khowar speakers in the Kalam region. This is because before Kalam came under the rule of Swat it was a region tributary to both Yasin and Chitral and after Yasin itself was assimilated into Chitral the Kalamis paid a tribute of mountain ponies to the Mehtar of Chitral every year.
Basic unit of currency is Rupee which is further divided into 100 paisa. Currency notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 are in use. Coins of one , two and five Rupee are in circulation.
Metric system is used as an official system of weights and measures.
220Volts, 50-60Hz AC
PST (Pakistan Standard Time) or GMT + 05.00
Governments Offices: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 08:00 – 15:00 hrs
Friday 08:00 – 12:00 hrs
Banks: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 09:00 – 13:30 hrs
Friday 09:00 – 12:30 hrs
Private Offices: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 09:00 – 17:00 hrs
Friday 09:00 – 12:00 hrs
Sunday
All traffic runs on the left side. All international licenses are valid. Minimum age for driving is 18.
10% to 20% of the total bill is usually accepted.
Nearly all the major newspapers, magazines and periodicals are available in the district. Few of them are
· Jang
· Mashriq
· Millat
· Frontier Post
· Statesman
· The News
· Pakistan
· Khabrain
· Nawaiwaqt and many more
By Air: Swat is linked by air with all major cities of Pakistan. You can come by air from all the major cities of Pakistan to Saidu Sharif airport Mingora.
By land: From Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Faisalabad and many other cities in Punjab, you can come by
Sammi Dawoo Service:
Near PSO Filling Station, Amman Kot, G.T.Road, Mongora, Swat. 92-936-729101-6, UAN is area code + 111007008.
Coaster Service: Runs from major cities of Punjab and NWFP
Full AC Coaches: Shahid Coaches Mingora (0946-812434)
Shahid Coaches Lahore (042-8404533, 0300-9079701)
Swat Coaches Mingora (0946-725175)
Flying coaches: Runs from all part of the NWFP and Punjab to Mingora
Lightweight cottons clothes are advisable in summer, while dense or woolen clothes in winter. Casual Shalwar suits are worn by all women and most men in public. Women should dress modestly with some sort of hijab.
The beautiful sites of the valley are Kalam, Madyan, Miandam, Bahrain, Malam Jabba, Marghazar, Saidu Sharif and many more
Saidu Sharif: Saidu Sharif is the capital of swat, joint with the Mingora city. In the time of princely state Saidu Sharif was the capital of swat state, now it is the capital of Malakand division. All the district administration offices and two hospitals and one college is there. Recently Saidu medical college is also established there. The altitude of Saidu Sharif is about 3500 feet above from the sea level. Saidu Sharif houses the Swat Museum that contain of the finest collections of Ghandhara art in the world.
Mingora: Mingora the twin city of Saidu Sharif has yielded magnificent pieces of Buddhist sculpture and the ruins of great stupas.
Butkara (Butkada Stupa): One of the most important Buddhist shrines in Swat is near the museum. Take the dirt track on the left (north) side of the museum for one kilometer (about half a mile). The stupa is 400 meters (above a quarter of mile) across the fields to the left (north).
The Stupa, which dates from the second century BC, was possibly built by the mauryan emperor Ashoka to house some of the ashes of the Buddha. In subsequent centuries, it was enlarged five times by encasing the existing structure in a new shell. Italian excavators working in 1955 exposed the successive layers of the Stupa, each layer illustrating a stage in the evolution of building techniques.
Marghazar: Marghazar 16km away from Saidu Sharif is famous for its “Sufed Mahal” the white marble palace of the former Wali (Ruler) of Swat.
Kabal: Kabal is 6km from Saidu Sharif with its excellent Golf Course.
Malam Jabba: At 2,636 m above sea level, Malam Jabba Ski Resort stands on top of a mountain of the Hindukush range, north east of Saidu Sharif. It is 314 km from Islamabad and 51 km from Saidu Sharif. After driving for 10 kms on Saidu Sharif-Kalam road, turn right from Manglor for Malam Jabba. Amidst its natural beauty and imprints of Gandhara civilization, lie the modern tourist facilities of a 52 rooms motel, 2 skiing platforms, chairlifts, roller/ice skating rinks, restaurant, telephone and snow clearing equipment etc. The food, lodging and skiing facilities are all managed by foreign trained staff and offered at competitive prices. The summer temperatures of 10oC to 25oC give way to lush green meadows and thick green forests of Pine & Deodar trees. In the winter when the temperature falls to –5oC to –10oC, the angel white snow makes it an ideal place for skiing.
Miandam: At 1,830 m above sea level, Miandam Valley is 50 km from Saidu Sharif and recommended for those looking for a peaceful place full of fragrance and scenic beauty. Miandam is 32 miles away to the north east of Mingora. The altitude of Miandam is about 6000 feet from the sea level. This place is also very cold and beautiful. In summer thousands of tourists visit here. You can find many hotels and rest houses here for night stay and meal. On Kalam road at the spot of Fatehpur one road is going up to Miandam.
Madyan: Madyan is situated on main road of Kalam 32 miles away from the main town of Mingora. This place is also a cold and well known tourist spot of swat. Here you can find hotels and guest houses at cheap rates. One of the trout farm is also there. The areas to visit in Madyan are Chail and Bishigram Lake. Madyan is 4235 feet above from the sea level.
Bahrain: It lies at a distance of seven miles from Madyan. The meaning of its name is "two waters". It is situated at the confluence of Daral and Swat rivers. Because of two rivers the atmosphere of Bahrain is always pleasant. The tourists visit here throughout the year. For staying there you can find many hotels with a reasonable rate. Bahrain is 4500 feet above from the sea level.
Kalam: The most popular tourist spot in Swat Valley (2,073 m) is 100 km away from Saidu Sharif. In addition to PTDC’s seasonal coach service, there is a regular private bus and van service between Mingora and Kalam. Kalam is the galaxy of about 150 hotels, land of waterfalls, lakes, pastures, site of hiking and glaciers, having all the latest facilities of the modern age. It is surrounded by lush green mountains, covered with forests and vegetation, diverse and oldest cultural values to witness and above all the friendly and hospitable people. Strawberries are found everywhere in the forests of Kalam. Don't forget to have a gesture of it.
Ushu, Matiltan and Mahodand Lake: This is the most spectacular area of upper Swat Valley. While staying overnight at Kalam, you can enjoy a day trip by jeep to these beautiful tourist spots. Distance is just 13-16 km from Kalam.
Utror-Gabral: Another scenic valley of upper Swat, located 21-29 km from Kalam. The road is jeepable and jeeps can be hired from Kalam. A day trip with picnic lunch is recommended.
In Swat Muslims festivals are celebrated according to the lunar calendar and may occur some 10 days earlier each successive Christian year.
· Shab-e-Barat: Religious festival celebrated on 14th of Shabaan, the 8th Islamic month
· Eid-ul-Fitr: Religious festival celebrating end of fasting month on 1st of Shawaal, the 10th month of Islamic calendar.
· Pakistan Day: Commemorating the anniversary of Pakistan resolution passed on March 23, 1940.
· Eid-ul-Azha: Religious festival commemorating the great sacrifice offered by Prophet Abraham is celebrated on 10 Zilhaj, 12th month of Islamic calendar.
· Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi: Birthday of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (peace be upon him) is celebrated on 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal, the 3rd month of Islamic calendar.
· Independence Day: Independence Day is celebrated on 14th August.
· Pakistan Defense Day: on 6th September
There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.
A useless life is an early death.
Leadership Quotes
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