‘Sindh’ me a postcard

Letter January 27, 2015
I must say that the Mehran Highway is a very well-built road where one should not encounter any problems while driving

KARACHI: Moderate or cold weather is best for going on sightseeing excursions and many people opt to travel for leisure and tourism in the months of December and January. Likewise, I set out to discover my very own province Sindh, for which I got inspiration from a number of travel books and history textbooks. Although I have not travelled very extensively, there was always a desire in me to explore or at least see most of the province that I reside in. My trip took me to the heart of the province — mainly Larkana, Sukkur and Khairpur.

Travelling has its own charm, things which seem ordinary on usual days become commendable and worth experiencing while one plans to make a distant voyage. Like, for example, waking up in the middle of the night and leaving one’s home to explore the world has a thrill to it. Moreover, riding in a double cabin on the highway at that time adds much to the joy of travelling.

While passing by the districts of Jamshoro, Matiari, Nawabshah and Dadu, one comes across the exquisiteness of the route because of the mountainous terrain on both sides of the road. There comes a point while crossing Jamshoro when the mountains enfold the road, making it quite a picturesque sight and a place worthy to be seen. My first stop was at Moenjo Daro, the archaeological site believed to be the remains from 5000 BC. One is amazed to see how people from hundreds of thousands of years ago used to live. The Great Bath and the rest rooms are all parts of an exemplary heritage, which have always been and would surely continue to aid in the advancement of technology and lifestyle.

Heading to Sukkur the next morning, and visiting its Lloyd and Sukkur Barrage, I encountered yet another masterpiece of architecture and engineering. The Sadh Bela temple in Sukkur is an inherited temple from centuries ago and quite a significant place of worship for Hindu pilgrims. Situated on an island, the sight of the temple is very beautiful to see, especially before sunset. It is a set design of art and architecture preserving in it many important assets of the Hindu faith.

On the last day, I visited Khairpur — the district known for its flourishing and evergreen date palms. The district has quite a history to tell and to show to its visitors. Formerly a princely state, it still has its ruler living in his mehal and being called his highness.

Contrary to what people believe about interior Sindh, especially about the route that one takes to visit its many towns and cities — that it would be very problematic and undeveloped — I had a very pleasant time travelling in this part of the country. I must say that the Mehran Highway is a very well-built road where one should not encounter any problems while driving. I faced no threats and found the law and order situation to be satisfactory. People might find it absurd to spend vacations in Sindh, but they would surely change their minds once they actually go and see the sites that the province has to offer with their own eyes and see the wonders that the valley of Mehran is blessed with. If the law and order situation of the province is improved a little and tourism promoted, Sindh can definitely become an important tourist destination in the country.

Syed Areeb Uddin

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th,  2015.

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