Pakistan is a country that has always been known for its rich culture, history, and hospitality.
Pakistan’s vast natural beauty attracts all types of tourists from around the world who want to explore its breathtaking peaks, valleys, rivers, and lakes.
However, there are many people in Pakistan who are unaware of the religious tourism attractions available within their own borders. For centuries this land has been visited by pilgrims yearning to find peace in some of Islam’s holiest places. This new era offers unparalleled opportunities for those looking for spiritual growth or just an authentic experience through one of the oldest religions on earth. #
There are many different spiritual sites that one must visit to complete their journey through Pakistan. One should start with “Sheikhupura” which is located near Lahore and Faisalabad, about 40km south of Sheikhupura lies the historical town of Sehwan Sharif which has the mausoleum of saint Jamali Kamali.
Jamali Kamali was a 15th-century Sufi saint whose real name is said to be Syed Sheikh Ali Hamdani, who came to India from Samarkand(present-day Uzbekistan) during the rule of Sultan Shams-ud-Din Muhammad bin Tughluq (reigned 1325–1351).
He is credited with the spread of Islam in the area and his shrine is a popular place of pilgrimage for Muslims from all over the subcontinent.
The next stop on the journey would be in Karachi, where one can visit the tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who was the founder of Pakistan. There are also many different mosques that are filled with history and offer an opportunity to get lost in the long corridors.
Another site of pilgrimage is the Urs of Bahauddin Zakariya held at Multan. Every year thousands of people gather here to celebrate their beloved Sufi saint, who was said to be descended from the Prophet Muhammed.
The final stop on this spiritual journey through Pakistan would be in the city of Islamabad, where one can find the shrine of Hazrat Ali Hajveri, also known as Data Ganj Baksh. He was a Persian Sufi mystic who is said to have lived from 1048 to 1119 CE.
People come here to seek his blessings for fulfillment on their spiritual quests.
Islamic architecture is the result of the Muslim faith, culture, and practice. It encompasses a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the early history of Islam to the present day for today it is seen in domes, arches, geometric patterns, floral designs, calligraphy, stained glass windows, and elaborate gravestones, to name just a few.
There are many examples of this architecture in Pakistan that can be enjoyed by the people who visit here. One example of Islamic architecture is seen in Multan where there is an old mosque called ‘Shah Rukn-e-Alam’ which was built in 1320 CE during the reign of the rulers from the ruling dynasties of Multan
Another example is seen in Lahore where there is a mosque called ‘Badshahi Mosque’ that was built by emperor Aurangzeb between 1673-1674 CE. Around this structure, one can find numerous monuments from Muslim rulers from previous periods in history.
Architectural styles in Pakistan vary from region to region, for example, the Hala minaret was built during the reign of Alauddin Khilji around 1300 CE by Malik Ikhtiyar Uddin.
It is a stone structure with a width and height of 40 feet and is topped by a cupola made up of glazed tiles and surrounded by a garden.
Pakistan also has many Buddhist monuments from the time when Buddhism was practiced in South Asia, however today these places of worship are used for other purposes. One example is the Dharmarajika Stupa which was built in the second century CE during the Kushan period.
The stupa is built of bricks and decorated with stone carvings in order to resemble the design of Asokan pillars.
The next religious site in Pakistan is always in Lahore, where one will find The Fort that surrounds the city. This structure was originally built by Pashtun King Sher Shah Suri during his reign between 1541–45 CE.
Later on, it was rebuilt by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1556-1557 CE and then repaired by his grandson Shah Jahan in 1639 CE. The fort is a great example of Islamic architecture and contains many monuments and palaces from the Mughal period.
Pakistan is a country that is rich in both culture and history. It is a place where one can find many different religious sites that are steeped in tradition and offer an insight into the spiritual side of life. If you are looking to embark on a journey of self-discovery, then Pakistan should definitely be at the top of your list.
Why Religious Tourism Is Important For Pakistan?
Religion and tourism are interrelated, but not everyone’s religion is a pilgrimage. For example; many Christians go on their own spiritual journey when they visit Jerusalem or Mecca to experience what the pilgrims before them have done centuries ago: see Christ in person at one of two holy sites that define our faith (or worship). Muslims take this form only after fulfilling all requirements for Hajj – including being physically able; spiritually prepared through prayerful intentions like fasting during daylight hours each day going into Pilgrimage season plus making charitable donations–and then performing preliminary rituals such as washing.
The three most popular religions in the world, namely Islam, Sikhism, and Buddhism have all stimulated a global tourism industry as well. Pakistan is home to many holy sites for each of these faith-based belief systems that adorns its diverse landscape with religious significance highlighting this fact more than any other nation on earth can do so alone (Pakistani culture).
Prominent Places for Religious Tourism In Pakistan
Pakistan is full of sacred places you can find in each province and people from all over the world visit these. Some examples are Ziarat, which happens to be one of Balochistan’s most beautiful cities with about 7 thousand years worth of history; Chitral – home for many outdoor activities like hiking or camping trips thanks to its natural beauty; Murree- considered as a tourist haven due not only because it has two famous ski resorts but also offers other attractions such as churches wherein stained glass windows made by Italian artists during colonial times
The Hindus of the subcontinent have been going on pilgrimage to Hinglag Mata for centuries. However, the recent unrest in Balochistan has damaged this once-booming industry
In order to make up for lost revenue from tourism and other businesses such as fishing that suffered because travelers were afraid or unwilling go near their destination due political instability.”
There is an old saying that goes, “For every person who visits Pakistan to see the rich and diverse culture we have here, 50 tourists from Japan or South Korea want a piece of it.” This has been true for years now as more visitors come in search of someplace unique with hidden gems just waiting to be discovered on any given day when you go exploring our land–the beautiful cities like Karachi which were once known only by British colonialists; centuries-old churches built during their periods holding sway over local Christians before today being predominantly Muslim population due largely because most immigrants came from India after WWII ended while also taking note about how strong its Sikh community continues
Religious Sites In PakistanReligious tourism in Pakistan can make a major difference in the economical sector if used wisely. As people from all over the world visit religious sites in Pakistan for peace and solace.
Multan
Shah Rukn-e Alam, Multan
Mausoleum of Hazrat Bahuddin Zakriya
The Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam
Mausoleum of Shah Shams Tabriz
Bad-Shahee Mosque
Baba Buley Shah
Hazrat Muhammad Shah Yusaf Gardez
Sukkur
Shrine of War Mubarak
The Shrine of Sadruddin Badsha
Shrine of Khwaja Khadir ( The ‘Green Man’)
Lahore
Data Darbar Shrine
Mausoleum of Dadaji Ganjbaksh
The Mausoleum of Hazrat Mian Mir
Mausoleum of Shah Inayat Qadiri Shatari
Bibi Paak Daaman / Shrine of Ruqayah bint Ali
Karachi
Shrine of Mangho Pir
Shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi
Sehwan
Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar
Shergarh
Shrine of Shaikh Daud Bandagi Kirmani
Garh Maharajah
Mausoleum of Sultan Bahu
Bhit, Sindh
Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province
Rehman Baba
Famous Hindu Temple in Pakistan
Baluchistan
Hinglaj Mandir or Nani Mandir, Hingol National Park, Baluchistan
Punjab
Katasraj Temple in the Punjab Province
Jagannath Mandir in Sialkot
Sindh
Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir in Karachi
Kalka Devi Cave in Sindh
Naval Mandir in Karachi
Khyber Phaunkhawn
Shri Varun Dev Mandir in Manora
Gorakhnath Temple in Peshawar
Buddist Sites in Pakistan
Pakistan, the land of Indus and Euphrates rivers where reside many ancient ruins from different civilizations such as Buddhism in Chahar Bagh region or Hindu temples carved out by Shahi. These are just some of countless heritage that still exists today!
A colorful blend between various architectural styles can be seen all over this beautiful country with its mosques being one example- blending Mughal architecture inspired by India into local Punjabi culture making it uniquely theirs while also borrowing features like domes found mainly among Persians which gave rise to saghas ke Baisay Hazouri (The Four Walls Of Heaven).
COVID Severely Affects Religious Tourism In Pakistan
Unfortunately, the COVID situation not only disrupts daily life around the world but also damages many aspects of our society. For example; it has caused religious sites to close and damaged tourism in general because precautions had been taken with some countries being more affected than others due to their proximity or lack thereof to these Holy Places when there is an outbreak like this one. However, once Covid-19 has been brought under control then we can expect large numbers of people will visit those locations again as they should since any holy place deserves protection against anything dangerous happening within its boundaries which could lead to something even worse! So while all policies must stay current on what’s going on today without fail–we need them formulated thoughtfully enough so future generations will remember how much pride
The government can get so much income from religious tourism that it not only gets rid of foreign debts but all development projects are completed smoothly. Likewise, an atmosphere filled with tolerance will flourish and establish a positive image for our country in the eyes international community too!
