Aqsa Khan Travelogue

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Travelogue, not Travel Logue 

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Aqsa Khan

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Travelogue to Sukkur

 

Travel means something exciting and adventurous and it is different to every individual in the world. But, for me travel means to know other places historical sites, to meet people of different culture and ethnicities and know the true colours of history of that city. So, in summer my family decided to travel the 3rd biggest city of sindh which is a historical city and hides history and archaeological sites of the Mughal Empire. We decided to book our tickets to Sukkur city from a local train on the morning of 8the August. We reached to Rohri station, the station is always busy with loads and loads of passengers, cookies, lots of little shops of food and a small book shops.

After that, we choose a hotel near the station. After lunch we choose our spot "Masoom shah Jo Minaro" which was constructed in 1607 during the Mughal reign and known as the Minaret of Masoon shah in 1617. The minaret and tomb is made of red bricks. The minaret of Masoom shah is the most visible and remarkable structure of Sukkur city. The minarets are about 26 meters in circumference and have 84 steps to the top. The minaret height is about 31 meters feet which can be seen from distant. The minaret of Masoom shah was built by Nizamuddin shah himself. During the mughal reign he was appointed the governor of Sukkur. The minaret is consisted of four storeys each floor is decorated with lots of poetry of Mir masoom shah and the entrance of the minarets and tombs are magnificent embellish with Quranic verses and Persian workings. Close to the minaret there is Masoom Shah's shrine and his family and ancestors grave.

However, Sindh Government has taken management control of this historical and monumental architecture. But, sadly now these historical sites need much renovation which hasn't been done since the other day we decided to go Sukkur Barrage as we want to go near the river Indus and want to see the sunset view. When we reached Sukkur Barrage it was a great weather so we enjoyed more. Sukkur Barrage is 5000 feet long barrage and was build in 1932. It irritates more than 10 million acres from its seven canals. This barrage completed during the reign of British Raj and was named as Lloyd Barrage. The barrage is the Pakistan's pride irrigation system and it is the largest single irrigation network. It flows from Sukkur district to totharparkar, Hyderabad nearly all parts of the province. The barrage is considered as the backbone of the country's economy. We learnt so many things from the museum which is situated near the Sukkur barrage which explains the history of British and world irrigation system. After seeing the mesmerising view of sunset we back to our hotel.

The next morning my parents and aunt decided to go for "Sadhobelo" which is an island near River Indus famous for sacred temples of Hindus.  So my mother really want I always heard the name of this place and finally we are going to visit the temple island. We sat in a boat where we could see the Lansdowne Bridge. The sailor told us that Sadhobelo was founded by Baba khandi who came from Nepal in 1823. A Hindu believer told us that he and his family daily visit the temple. When we reached the temple clergyman welcomed us whole heartedly. I become astonished to see the architecture, stone and marble work of the temple. Most of the sculptures were craved in pillars and walls which enhance the beauty of the temple. We have never visited any Hindu sacred places before so this is the most exciting part of the trip. The temple is spread on a vast island comprised of of many small temples. They have the residential areas for guests and officers. Near the temple there is a huge library.

The shrine is the sacred place of Hindu community. Most of the Hindus from all over the world come to visit this shrine. Next we went visit Sateen Jo Aastan it is located on the left bank of the Indus River near Rohri Sindh Pakistan. Many stories and myths shroud the graves at the Sateen Jo Aastan. Sati in Hinduism is called a widow who burns herself or along with her husband’s dead body by others “Pyre” but a place in Rohri city known as Sateen Jo Thaan or Sateen Jo Aastan as folklore explains the history behind it as a story. It says that a Raja used to have eye on seven sisters, who have never been in front of a naked eye of a man. They prayed that we don’t want to be in the hands of that Raja. We have protected our self from the eyes of any male and after some time that sister’s died or disappeared no one knows. The graves of the seven sisters lie are inside the cave, where neither man nor camera is allowed. Only women can visit graves and pray there to their heart’s content. Sateen Jo Aastan is reputed for its mystical powers and women from as far as Baluchistan come to visit. I even went inside with my female family members to see the graves. After all this visiting I was tried so we decided to head back to the staying area and took food for the dinner on our way back.

Our next spot was Lab-e-Mehran, as we were all planning to head back after this so we decide to go on a refreshing place. Lab-e-Mehran is basically a very famous garden in Sukkur and gives a very peaceful feeling it is near the right bank of Indus River, besides the Sukkur Barrage. I don’t for sure but people say that the total cost in the making of it was around 120 million rupees. And not just this but we can say it is still a work in progress. We didn’t bring any food with us as there is a small hotel with separate family area and believe me it had the best food. Post lunch we planned on going for boat riding because it was very exciting to see people going and enjoying. I had a blast in this vacation and learnt a lot from it next day we came back to our house the same way through train. And I got seasonal fever after all the tiredness of the journey but overall it was a trip to remember. 

Practical work carried under supervision of Sir Sohail Sangi 

Media & Communication Studies, University of Sindh