IN THIS POST:
– About the Tharparkar District
– How to Get to Tharparkar?
– What to See in Tharparkar?
Want to head out on a culturally rich adventure? Visit the Tharparkar District in Sindh where you will get a chance to immerse yourself into the local culture and witness amazingly historic landmarks.
About the Tharparkar District
Tharparkar in a district in the province of Sindh and a large part of the district is home to the Thar Desert to which it owes its name. Most of the Tharparkar District is rural or covered in desert sands, so you might wonder what there is to see there. Well, thousands of people visit Tharparkar every year and it is not just a barren wasteland. Get ready for the experience of a lifetime, as the people and culture in this part of Pakistan are what make it worth the visit.
Considered as one of the most peaceful places in Pakistan, Mithi is the largest city in the region, surrounded by nearly 200 big and small villages. Tharparkar has an equal number of both Muslims and Hindus living harmoniously and sharing their society’s indigenous culture and its traditions. The region is dotted with Hindu temples, historic mosques, and even Jain places of worship, with a wonderful rural lifestyle that suits the hot sands of the desert.
The locals speak Dhatki or Thari language, which originates from Rajasthan in India, and have adopted their culture from there as well. Music, art, folklore, and lifestyle all show Rajasthani influences as well, making it a joy to travel to the region, not just for the historic sites, but also for the chance to immerse yourself into a new cultural experience. You can be sure that you’ll be given a warm welcome when you arrive at any of the villages in the area, as the locals are hospital people.
A trip to Tharparkar can also give you a chance to witness glorious sunsets and sunrises in a desert landscape if you choose to head towards the Thar Desert. The Thar Desert is the 17th largest in the world and one of the most famous deserts in Pakistan.
How to Get to the Tharparkar District?
The Tharparkar District is located in the southeastern corner of the province of Sindh, where it touches the Indian border at the state of Rajasthan. So, let’s talk about how you can reach Tharparkar from Karachi, which is the capital of Sindh. Tharparkar is nearly 445 kilometres away from the city and can be reached via two different routes, both of which will get you to Tharparkar in about 6 hours or more.
The good news is that the route to Tharparkar is perfectly paved and ideal for a long drive in the wilderness. Here are the routes you can choose from:
- Take National Highway (N-5) to Makli, from where you need to reach Badin, via the Badin – Sujawal Road and then travel from Badin to Naukot or Mithi.
- Take the M-9 Karachi – Hyderabad Motorway and join National Highway (N-120) from Hyderabad, passing through Mirpur Khas to get to Umarkot, from where you can travel into Tharparkar.
You can either drive yourself in a 4 x 4 or opt for a tour group heading to Tharparkar for the weekend. The best season to visit Tharparkar is just after the monsoon season, in September or October, when the landscape is fertile but safe from landsliding due to rains.
What to See the Tharparkar District?
Here are some of the best sites to visit in the Tharparkar District:
Gadhi Bhit
If Mithi is your first stop in the Tharparkar District, don’t forget to head up to Gadhi Bhit, which is the highest point of elevation in Mithi and offers a panoramic view of the city. Over the years, this landmark with its historic construction has become a picnic spot for the locals. As a tourist, visit it at night for a fabulous view of Mithi at night.
Karoonjhar Mountains
If you’re taking a trip to Tharparkar, head from Mithi to Islamkot and onto Nagarparkar, from where you can visit the Karoonjhar Mountains. Around 19 kilometres in length, the Karoonjhar Range is mostly made of granite rocks and is rich in mineral deposits. Being just 305 metres above sea level, it is also one of the lowest mountain ranges in Pakistan. You can check out our detailed guide on travelling to the Karoonjhar Mountains in Tharparkar for more information.
Gori Temple
On route to Nagarparkar, you will pass by the Historic Gori Temple, which was built in 1376 AD by the followers of the Jain religion. The temple has an outer pavilion with pillars made from marble and a dome resembling Muslim architecture, followed by several smaller places of worship inside.
Jain Temple Virwah
There are nearly 14 different Jain temples in the vicinity of Nagarparkar, all of which are on the tentative list as UNESCO World Heritage sites. They were built between the 12th and the 15th century. Among these is the Jain Temple at Virwah, which is made of stone and beautifully carved marble.
Bhodisar Mosque
You can find the Bhodisar Mosque close to the Jain temples at Bhodisar, on route to Nagarparkar. It was built in 1505 AD by the then ruler of Gujrat. The structure was heavily influenced by Jain architectural styles and uses white marble and limestone. The mosque is located at the bank of the Bhodisar Dam and has a courtyard on its eastern side that is enclosed by a perimeter wall.
Naukot Fort
Head back from Mithi towards Naukot and you’ll witness a majestic fort located on the edge of the desert sands. While it may not be among the most famous forts in Pakistan, the Naukot Fort was constructed in 1814 AD by Mir Karam Ali Khan Talpur, who was a ruler of the Talpur Dynasty in Sindh. The Naukot Fort was both a military stronghold as well as a residential retreat. The structural ruins of several buildings can be visited in the courtyard which all served their unique purpose back in the day.
This fort stands apart from the others built in the similar time period because it was built using only bricks to support its structure. An arched gateway and circular bastions greet you at the southeastern corner of the fort, with a total of nine bastions located on the perimeter walls.
Now you know all about visiting the Tharparkar District in Sindh with your family and friends, so head out and experience the unique culture and lifestyle of the locals for yourself. Please note that most of the historic temples, mosques, and forts in the area are open between 9 am and 6 pm for visitors. You can also plan a trip to the Thar Desert in Sindh using our guide.
If you are looking for adventure away from home in a desert, check out our travel guide to the Cholistan Desert, where the magnificent Derawar Fort awaits you as well.
Keep reading Zameen Blog for more travel and tourism hotspots in Pakistan. We can be reached for your comments and feedback at blog@zameen.com. You can also subscribe to our daily newsletter, using the space provided.
