Owing to its unique topography and natural features, the province of Punjab is an ideal region for the promotion of tourism in Pakistan. It is home to some of the best-underrated tourist attractions in the country. The name “Dharabi Lake” in Chakwal District of Punjab is noteworthy in this regard. According to a private news publication, Syed Usman Buzdar, the current Chief Minister of Punjab, recently visited Dharabi Lake and announced that the government plans to convert it into a tourist spot. So, what makes this place so special? Let’s find out.
Dharabi Lake – An Overview
Named after a small village in the Chakwal District, Dharabi Lake is a reservoir, which has been constructed for the collection and storage of water from “Dharab River.” It is a tributary of Soan River, the water of which falls into the River Indus at a distance of 5 kilometres from this place. Dharabi Dam is constructed on what is believed to be the largest man-made lake in the region with a storage capacity of around 37,000-acre-feet of water. The best time to visit this place is the season of monsoon when the water level in Dharabi Dam is high.
Location of Dharabi Lake and Important Road Links
Passing from the middle of Dharabi village, Talagang-Chakwal Road is considered the best route to reach the lake. Another very important road link in this regard is the Lahore-Islamabad motorway (M2), which passes over the Dharab River, connecting the Dharabi Reservoir, which is one of the most famous man-made lakes in Chakwal, to the rest of the country. With a distance of 90 kilometres, Islamabad is the closest city to this tourist attraction in Punjab.
A budget of PKR 8 crore has been allocated by the authorities for the construction of new road links for Dharabi Lake to add to the convenience of the people visiting the place. All these measures are a part of the initiatives taken by the federal and provincial governments to promote tourism in Pakistan.
Fun Activities at Dharabi Lake
The geographical features of Dharabi Lake make it ideal for all types of water sports such as boating, canoeing, surfing and fishing. Owing to this fact, the place hosts different types of family festivals and water sports competitions on both public and private levels throughout the year. This is yet another reason why Dharabi one of the most popular lakes in Chakwal. Once fully developed, this tourist attraction in Punjab is going to serve as a perfect weekend getaway for families living in nearby cities.
Historical Attractions near Dharabi Lake
Chakwal District of Punjab enjoys a rich history, which is one of the main reasons why you will find the two very famous historical attractions near Dharabi Lake known as “Takht-i-Babri” and “Katas Raj Temple”. So, let’s get to know a little more about them.
Takht-i-Babri
Located at a distance of 30 kilometres south of Dharabi Lake is a very famous tourist destination known as Takht-i-Babri. It is a flat stage built with rocks with a throne cut-out, which is considered the very first Mughal Construction. Takht-i-Babri is a historical platform, where King Babur, the first Mughal Emperor, addressed his army while they were on their way to Delhi in the quest of the crown.
Katas Raj Temples
Taking a drive of around 60 kilometres southwest of Dharabi Lake will take you to “Katas Raj Temple”, locally known as “Qila Katas”, which is located among the salt ranges of Kalar Kahar in Punjab. As its name suggests, the place is one of the holiest sites for the Hindu community in Pakistan. The Hindu temples at Katas Raj have a very rich history as they were established as early as the mid-seventh century. The place features a group of nearly a dozen temples and ruins of a Buddhist Stupa. Ramchandra, Hanuman and Shiva are the three most popular temples of Katas Raj, which are crowned by ribbed domes.
Since temples are a part of Pakistan’s national heritage and hold great religious significance for the Hindu community, the authorities are taking a keen interest in the restoration and upkeep of this place. The installation of “Shikhara,” the name for a temple’s dome-shaped crowning cap in Hindu architecture, is one of the finest examples in this regard. Furthermore, a water filtration system was also installed a couple of years ago at the site to provide pilgrims with the facility of potable water.
These were the latest developments pertaining to Dharabi Lake, which will soon be transformed into a full-fledged holiday resort to attract local as well as foreign tourists. The development of this new tourist attraction is going to be a part of the series of the government’s initiatives to take the industry of tourism in Pakistan to new heights.
The incumbent government is very keen on promoting tourism in Pakistan to help boost the country’s economy and to portray the positive image of Pakistani culture internationally. In this regard, you might also want to take a look at one of our recently published blogs in which we have talked about the upcoming tourist attractions along the coastal belt of Balochistan.
Get in touch with us at blog@zameen.com and let us know what you think of the recent initiatives taken by the federal and provincial governments to uplift the sector of tourism in the country.
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