Ugly graffiti mars mystical cave’s beauty

Saiful Malook Cave is an enduring symbol of love and romance

BALAKOT:

Saiful Malook Cave, an integral part of the enchanting romantic folk tale that also revolves around the love story of a prince and his fairy lover, is facing the onslaught of unruly graffiti and littering.

The cave is as significant as the Saiful Malook Lake is to this timeless story, it played an equally crucial role as the shelter where Prince Saiful Malook and the ethereal fairy, Badi-ul-Jamal, sought refuge from the forces of the gin, the antagonist in the story.

Situated on the banks of the Kunhar River, the mystical cave transports its visitors back in time to the era of this enduring love story.

A visit to the cave is an adventurous experience. The cave stretches ten feet inward and resembles a room at the end.

However, the historical charm of Saiful Malook Cave has been marred by the presence of litter both inside and around its vicinity, compounded by the nonsensical graffiti left behind by tourists.

This has adversely affected its cultural and historical significance.

The poetry of famed Sufi poet Mian Mohammad Bakhsh eloquently immortalises not only Saiful Malook Lake but also the captivating Saiful Malook Cave.

Yet, it is the lake's ethereal beauty that has garnered more fame, owing to the romantic tale that unfolded within its crystal-clear waters. As the locals, poets, and storytellers recount, it was within these serene surroundings that the destinies of Saiful Malook and the enchanting fairy, Badiul Jamal, became intertwined in love.

Waking up from a long slumber, officials from the Kaghan Development Authority have swung into action and issued orders for the cleaning and maintenance of the cave.

This initiative aims to protect the cultural heritage tied to the eternal folk love story, ensuring that future generations can cherish the enchanting tale forever.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2023.