by SOHAIL ABID
In 2010, I embarked on an ambitious bike trip of Punjab, visiting 30 cities in 30 days, covering 5,000km. That was a wonder experience but limited to big cities and towns. This time I want to see the rural side of Punjab. The idea is to avoid highways and travel through the roads connecting villages and small towns of Punjab. The following photographs are from the first phase of this trip, from Rawalpindi to Lahore through the towns and villages in west Punjab, away from the G.T. Road. I quit my day-job a few months ago. The 9-6 life wasn’t meant for me, I guess. Folklore and Punjab are the two things that fascinate me the most. That’s the reason I founded folkpunjab.com. These travels will one day provide me the base for writing something substantial on the folklore of Punjab.
Katas Raj Temple, near Choa Saidan Shah [Pakistan]. This temple dates back to the Mahabharata era and is associated with Lord Shiva. The legend says: Lord Shiv wept so profusely on the death of his beloved wife Satti that two holly pound came in to being from his tears, one at Katas (the pound you see in this picture) while other at Pushkara Ajmeer Sharif. (if you were worried about the katas raj pound getting dry, cheer up. archaeology dept cleaned the pores at its bed and it’s full again.)
Kafila for more
(Thanks to Robin Khundkar)