Paradise, they are birds

Lake Haleji  main water reservoir covers an area of 6.58 Sq. miles with the maximum depth of 17 feet. The lake is positioned at the 240 48 N and 600 47 E. It is 88 km away from the main city of Karachi. The complete circle of the lake is about 12 miles. Haleji lake was a salt-water lake formed by the seasonal water that collected in a depression. During World War 2 when additional water needed for army troops that stationed at the Karachi, the salted water of the lake had been drained out and the mound was constructed around the lake to gather the fresh water through a waterway. So, the lake Haleji became one of the major sources of water supply to the escalating populace of Karachi.

Haleji is a bird watching paradise and an ideal asylum for thousands of birds and flora. It is one of the most important migratory place of waterfowl in Eurasia. It provides the spectacular birds watching and outdoor attraction. Haleji lake and its streams together with Hudero and keenjhar lake forms a very large and complex habitat for waterfowl. This place is now stabilized very much and become a home to swimmers,  the complex is now home to divers, surface and deep-water feeders and fresh water lovers. The mixture of salted and fresh water  create a fascinating place to suit the different moods. The heavy shady trees surround the whole lake. Phragmites, Typha, Hydrilla and Lotus flowers cover the many parts of the lake.

The rocky projection at various points of the lake are home of migratory and resident waterfowl. The lake points known as the Pelican Island and the other is Cormorant Island. On both islands you will see the hundreds of birds resting and enjoying the sun. Evening is the best time for bird watching because at that time they all came back to the home. There are marsh crocodiles too. Almost 223 bird species can be found in the Haleji lake. Osprey, Pallas's fish eagle, Buzzards, Harriers, Falcons, Wigeon, coot, shoveller, Pintail, Teals, Mallard, Heron, Jacana, flamingos and sometimes Bewick's swan are famous among the many. The government of Sindh is taking legal measure to make this area safe for the birds. It has been called now as the Ramsar Wetland Site.

It is 1-1/2 km off the Thatta road from the village of Gujjo. From November till February the place is abundant with the waterfowls. If you are a water lover or a bird lover then packs your luggage to take the cheap flights to Karachi which take you to your destination..

National Museum of Pakistan, Karachi

The Frere Hall of Karachi served as the national museum of Pakistan for many years. It established in 1951. But, later in 1969 the Government  of Pakistan apprehended the importance of the National Institution which favoured the construction of unique building in Burns Garden. The former President of Pakistan General Yahya Khan inaugurated the building on 21st February, 1970. The Museum is a complete panorama of Pakistani Cultural inheritance from Stone Age till now. All colonnades are set up in sequential series.

The first gallery is of Pre-Historic. This gallery showcases the old phases of human activities in Soan valley. It talked about the two million years ago human beings.

The 2^nd gallery has the name of Porto-Historic.  This gallery exhibits the excavated sites of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, the clone capital of Indus Valley Civilization. They are remarkable for consistency and equality in weight, Measures, Ceramics, Architecture, Town Planning and in others Arts and Crafts. The Gallery contains the figure of Priest King and Dancing Girls.

The 3^rd gallery has the essence of Late Harappa. Mostly, the material is about the burial and ritual tradition like urns, dis-on-stand, bowls. As of its name, the gallery also has the faded  glory glimpses of the Indus Civilization.

The  Gandhara gallery is applied to a Gandhara region. The region has established over the teaching of Lord Buddha. The Gandharan sculptures are classical item in this gallery.  The subject matter of the gallery is Gandharan conception, childhood, marriage, renunciation, enlightenment, preaching and death.

The 5^th is Hindu gallery adjacent to the Gandhara gallery, it is a small one and have some rare and venerate sculptures of the Brahmnical pantheon. The emblem of Brahma, the illustration of Mahabharata and the incarnations of the god Vishnu rule the gallery.

The 6^th one is Quran gallery which is newly renovated with air conditioning, new lighting and audio arrangement. It gives the guests an opportunity to enlighten themselves by best enlighten manuscripts in different handwriting.

The coin galley placed in the 7^th number in the museum. The history of coinage goes back to 6th century B.C. The gallery contains the small ingots of silver, Indo-Greeks, sytho-parthion, Islamic and Muslim dynastic coinage.

The 8^th one is the Freedom Movement gallery which showcases the documents, letters, photos, books, pamphlets, owing of Allama Iqbal, Quaid-e-Azam and other national heroes.

The Ethnology gallery makes an attempt to depict the living culture of the various tribes. The culture has models and dioramas of four provinces. The display embraces the costumes, jewellery, handicrafts  and wood carving.

 The 10^th gallery is Islamic gallery consists of stuff excavated from Banbhore and Mansarah site of the 8th Century. Other things are arts and crafts manuscripts, Ivory miniature paintings of Mughal Emperors and porcelain ceriman from different Islamic ateliers.

The 11^th gallery name is Islamic Art and Craft which consist of extraordinary glass objects, arms and armour hand-wore carpets, metal and China ware.

The museum also has the facilities of Education, Research, Paper Conservation services.The museum opens many ways to explore the region along with the historical significance.but, the choice is yours. The Karachi airports deal with many cheap flights to Karachi with best travel packages and tours.

Karachi

The former capital city of Pakistan has different names the City of Lights, the city of The Quaid, and the city that Never Sleeps. Located on the coast, Karachi has a hot summer and mild winter season with low level of precipitation. The city's propinquity to the sea keeps humidity levels high to relieve the heat of the summer. So December and January have pleasing cloudy weather when most of the events take place that’s why tourist usually visit during these months. The lifestyle of Karachi is substantially different from other parts of Pakistan. Its culture is blended with the races of Middle Eastern, South & Central Asian and of Western. This is the reason that Karachi is considered the prime international business centre. This diversity creates a unique amalgam of culture.

Pakistan's important cultural institutions like The National Academy of Performing Arts and The National Arts Council (Koocha-e-Saqafat) forwarding as the hub of cultural art. In addition to, the Karachi has list of festivals related to every field. The famous are Sindh Sea festival, Kara International Film festival, Hamara Karachi (celebration of Karachi Architecture), All Pakistan Music Conference, Karachi Literature festival, Karachi Classic Car Show, Karachi Photo Walk and Karachi Fashion Week.

Mohatta Palace Museum

This building was named at its founder Shivratan, Chandratan, Mohatta. This palace was constructed as a residency of Fatima Jinnah. But, now it is presenting itself as a museum where relics and things of ceramic art have been displayed. This museum also showcases the time of British regime in Pakistan. There are some of the Portraits of freedom fighters hanged.

Mazar-e-Quaid

Mazar-e-Quaid is a popular site for paying homage to our founder M Ali Jinnah. People used to visit this place abundantly. It is located in the centre of the city and attracts tourists due to it’s wonderful and unique construction. It has been built with pure white marble and is featured with curved arches of Moorish origin. There is a four-layered chandelier within the tomb that is the gift by Chinese people. A park surrounded the whole tomb building featured with powerful round lights which make the tomb prominent at night.

National Museum of Pakistan

National Museum of Pakistan was found on April 17, 1950 with the main motto preserving the art cultural heritage of Pakistan. The museum has 11 galleries; the famous one is Quran Gallery with the possession of  300 transcripts of Quran. The Ghandhara civilization stupas, art, sculptures and crafts also displayed in this 

Clifton Beach

The interesting feature is Clifton Beach; a pleasant site to be visited. It is featured with amusement park, stalls, camel and horse riding facilities and several options for swimming. The shops along with the beach sell handicrafts and gifts made of seashells. The night is the best time to visit the beach. The white light fountains spreads it’s lights at night. The amusement park is the gist of this area which features a bowling alley and an aquarium and Oyster Island.

Kemari

Kemari is a small but, busy harbour of fishing and sightseeing boats and launches. The lighthouse and the fort are the main attraction in Kemari. While sailing one can see Mangroves, waterfowl and fishing villages untill Indus National Delta Park.

Aladdin Park

It is the largest kids theme park which includes Play Land Hill Park, Sindbad DHA Park Fun Land, Karachi Zoo Samzu Park and The great fiesta cozy water park.  It has a shopping centre along with a playground. The Great carnival provides thrilling and exhilarating water slides for young and adults. It also includes an Artificial Beach, Lazy River and Hurricane Wave Pool for the delight of the people. These are many other places to explore in karachi. Plan a trip and take cheap flights to Karachi and enjoy your holidays at a wonderful place.

Indus Civilization

Harrapan Civilization

The Pakistani land saw many civilizations one of them is of Indus civilization. The glorious era of Indus civilization is about 8000 years B.C and its first village was founded at Mehargarh in Sibi (Balochistan).  In 1980’s the French and Pakistani archaeologists dig out mud houses of the Mehargarh’s people and their maize and wheat agricultural land, stone tools and other ornaments, jars and bowls, glasses, dishes and plates. 

The archaeologists believe that by 7000 B.C., the Mehargarh people 1^st time learnt to use the metal. That was the 1^st social, cultural and economic revolution in the lives of Mehargarh. The Mehargarh traded with the people of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran and Arab world. They were not only specialized in painting different designs on pottery stuffs but can made varieties of pots, cotton and wool. They imported precious stones from Afghanistan and Central Asia for making ornaments. This Bronze Age Culture was spread to Sindh, Baluchistan, Punjab and KPK.

Swastika Seals

This early population of Mehargarh was lived into the small towns, such as Kot Diji in Sindh and Rahman Dheri in Dera Ismail Khan District. Life in the Indus valley was highly regulated; streets are laid out on a rectangular grid pattern, and had a proper sewage system with household drains. The larger houses of two t0 three floors were having an inner courtyard possibly with wooden balconies giving onto it. The social and cultural exchange raised the fame of Moenjodaro and Harappa cities, with largest concentration of population including artisans, craftsmen, businessmen and rulers. At the result the Indus Civilization got its peak with intensively irrigated agricultural land and overseas trade with Iran, Gulf States, Mesopotamia and Egypt. There were Dames for storing river water, land was cultivated by bullock-harnessed plough, granaries for food storage, and furnace was used for controlling temperature for making pottery. The Indus civilization was based on the Hinduism as found in the earliest evidence of phallic symbol, Swastika Seals before and during the early Harappan period. They are also preserved at British museum.

Mohenjodaro

 The visit remains incomplete if you don’t go for both cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro to see the Indus civilization. So buy two tickets one for flight for Islamabad and one for flight for Karachi.  

Jinnah Resting Place

Mizar-e-Quaid

My Jinnah resting place called as Mizar-e-Qaid, Jinnah Mausoleum or the National Mausoleum. This place is ionic just not only in Pakistan but all over the world. The mausoleum finished in the 1960s at the heart of the Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The place gives the calm essence and quiet feelings to the visitors. The gleaming tomb can be seen for miles at night. Khan Liaquat Ali Khan (Prime Minister of Pakistan) and Jinnah's sister, Fatima Jinnah, are also buried near Jinnah. Every year the official and military ceremonies take place here especially the 23rd March, 14th August, 11^th September and 25^th December events. It is also welcomed by the VIPs and officials from foreign countries.

The burial chamber is architect by Yahya Merchant who was inspired by the Islamic architecture. The tomb is made of white marble with curved Moorish arches and copper grills. It is sited in 53 hectare park and the dimension of building is 75x75m on ground and 43m high, constructs on 4m high platform. Every wall of the mausoleum is placed a doorway. There are 15 following fountains lead to the main platform from one side and from all sides terraced paths guide to the gates. The four-tiered crystal chandelier gifted by the people of China reflects the Pak-china friendship in a green peaceful light. The mausoleum is surrounded by a park which shined through spot-lights at night.

Tomb of Quaid

Mazar-e-Quaid is the largest mausoleum having total area of 61 acre. When the visitors slow done on M A Jinnah road through their cars, buses and motorcycle, they always find the building all alone in the white purity of the its spirit. The Pakistani men and women, old and young from all over the Pakistan came to pay homage to the rested soul. The mausoleum is symbol of the glory of Pakistan. Let’s take a flight to Karachi and touch the Moorish arches and copper grills to make alive the significance of our Pakistan.