A road trip to Thatta

Dawn.com Published February 1, 2012
A resting spot and cafe along the road, designed for tired drivers to relax and re-energise over a cup of ?chai?.
A resting spot and cafe along the road, designed for tired drivers to relax and re-energise over a cup of ?chai?.
A view of the kitchen through a small window of the road side cafe. The writing on the wall is a Sufi saying in Sindhi.
A view of the kitchen through a small window of the road side cafe. The writing on the wall is a Sufi saying in Sindhi.
Residents of the districts in Sindh staged a protest against the 20th Constitutional Amendment bill presented in the National Assembly by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), blocking the road to Thatta.
Residents of the districts in Sindh staged a protest against the 20th Constitutional Amendment bill presented in the National Assembly by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), blocking the road to Thatta.
Negotiations take place with the protesters to give us clearance to pass through.
Negotiations take place with the protesters to give us clearance to pass through.
Makli Hill is a United Nations World Heritage Site that is visited by both pilgrims and tourists. To enter some of the gated tombs of the 125,000 Sufi saints believed to be buried here. Locals are unofficially charged 10 rupees per person, which can be further subsidised to free entry depending on bargaining skills, whereas foreigners are charged 200 rupees per person.
Makli Hill is a United Nations World Heritage Site that is visited by both pilgrims and tourists. To enter some of the gated tombs of the 125,000 Sufi saints believed to be buried here. Locals are unofficially charged 10 rupees per person, which can be further subsidised to free entry depending on bargaining skills, whereas foreigners are charged 200 rupees per person.
Fresh flowers on a grave shows that it has been well taken care of and recently visited.
Fresh flowers on a grave shows that it has been well taken care of and recently visited.
The Makli Hills are known for the distinct architecture as seen on this extravagant tomb.
The Makli Hills are known for the distinct architecture as seen on this extravagant tomb.
A local woman rests under the sun.
A local woman rests under the sun.
The tomb of Diwan Shurfa Khan, a minister of Mughal governor Nawab Amir Khan, was constructed a year after his death in 1638.
The tomb of Diwan Shurfa Khan, a minister of Mughal governor Nawab Amir Khan, was constructed a year after his death in 1638.
The snake charmer charges 200 rupees for the meercat to injure the cobra and 300 rupees for the death of the snake.
The snake charmer charges 200 rupees for the meercat to injure the cobra and 300 rupees for the death of the snake.
Some tombs at Makli have been weathered by nature and ruined by graffiti.
Some tombs at Makli have been weathered by nature and ruined by graffiti.
The Keenjhar Lake retains the Sindhi legend of Noori Jam Tamachi, the woman whose obedience attracted Prince Jam Tamachi and who rose to the status of queen.
The Keenjhar Lake retains the Sindhi legend of Noori Jam Tamachi, the woman whose obedience attracted Prince Jam Tamachi and who rose to the status of queen.
The boatman sits on the bow of the boat as it sails on the largest freshwater lake in Pakistan.
The boatman sits on the bow of the boat as it sails on the largest freshwater lake in Pakistan.
The middle of the lake is a shrine that marks the eternal resting place of Noori Jam Tamachi. Hundreds of devotees travel by boats to pay their respects everyday.
The middle of the lake is a shrine that marks the eternal resting place of Noori Jam Tamachi. Hundreds of devotees travel by boats to pay their respects everyday.
The hallway of Jama Mosque is constructed according to the principles of Mughal courtyard architecture. Legend has it that this Unesco world heritage site was commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a gesture of gratitude to the people of Thatta for sheltering him during his youth after his father Emperor Jahangir banished him from Delhi.
The hallway of Jama Mosque is constructed according to the principles of Mughal courtyard architecture. Legend has it that this Unesco world heritage site was commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a gesture of gratitude to the people of Thatta for sheltering him during his youth after his father Emperor Jahangir banished him from Delhi.
A stall selling a local sweet, rabri, is set up outside the mosque.
A stall selling a local sweet, rabri, is set up outside the mosque.
Two local women walk near the ancient ruins of Bhambhore.
Two local women walk near the ancient ruins of Bhambhore.
The ruin of a semi-circular house is part of the castle destroyed by Muhammad bin Qassim in the quest to save the city from the captivity of pirates.
The ruin of a semi-circular house is part of the castle destroyed by Muhammad bin Qassim in the quest to save the city from the captivity of pirates.
The site of Jamia Mosque of Bhambore is claimed to be the first mosque in Asia.
The site of Jamia Mosque of Bhambore is claimed to be the first mosque in Asia.
The ancient ruins of Bhambore sits on the base of the Indus River, a major river in Pakistan that merges into the Arabian Sea.
The ancient ruins of Bhambore sits on the base of the Indus River, a major river in Pakistan that merges into the Arabian Sea.

Thatta is a quaint old town just 98 km east of Karachi, making it a good destination for a weekend retreat. It boasts of historical monuments like Makli Hills, the largest necropolis in the world, and the Shah Jahan Mosque.

One of the most enjoyable ways to reach Thatta is by going on a road trip along the N-5.

Follow us as we show you the interesting moments on our journey from Karachi to Thatta. The destination itself was not necessarily the highlight of the day, but the little things that were seen along the way made the whole trip unforgettable.

– Photos by Tang Hui Huan/Dawn.com, text by Claire Chin Jing Yi and Sharifah Fadhilah Alshahab/Dawn.com

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Pitambara Mishra
Feb 01, 2012 06:22pm
I think it will very interesting to visit Thatta by boat. It was a prosperous river port before being taken over by British. Pitambara Mishra
Recommend 0
Faheem
Feb 02, 2012 02:57am
The writing on the wall in not a Sufi saying. Its name of couple of people written in Sindhi script.
Recommend 0
Vinod
Feb 02, 2012 06:54am
No Hindu reference!!!! Umerkot is inhibited by Hindu majority.. No temple images!!!
Recommend 0
Asad
Feb 02, 2012 10:01am
On the wall they mentioned their names not sufi saying !!!!
Recommend 0
Ahmar Qureshi
Feb 02, 2012 04:57pm
This trip reminds me of my childhood trip with preplexed visions, I still get dizzy by the thought of those circles under the domes & eye catching line patterns of Shah Jahan Mosque! Good Pictorial Trip! :-)
Recommend 0
Mariya Shaikh
Feb 02, 2012 09:54pm
Thanks for posting these pix; reminds me of my childhood trips to Thatta & Keenjar Lake...there is a beautiful guesthouse at the Lake as well as some good museums on the National Highway enroute from Karachi...didn;t you see those?
Recommend 0

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