Thar Desert
Nested in the southern Sindh district of Pakistan’s territory lies the captivating and attraction-grabbing Thar Desert. Thar Desert is located in Pakistan. It spans across the southeastern region of Pakistan, covering parts of the provinces of Sindh and Punjab. This 77,000 square miles destination is a historical tapestry filled with cultural ambiance and natural beauty. Being the 18th-largest desert, this place is home to one million people and many tourists.
The local residents of Thar Desert make every day worth living. They arrange events of puppeteers, snake charmers, and acrobats on a day-to-day basis to attract and entertain tourists. Musical nights, folk dances, and local cuisine are other charms of this mesmerizing place.
This article is a venture through Thar Desert located in Sindh, covering attractions, historical background, culture, traditions, experiences, and places to visit.
History of Thar Desert; Tracing Back More than a Thousand Years
The Thar Desert found in Sindh province, is not just some tourist spot or landscape but a living testament to the survival through different desertification events of more than a thousand years. Its history dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization era, one of the oldest Bronze Age urban cultures. The remains of ancient civilizations that resided in the Thar Desert show traces of advancements in terms of urban planning, engineering, and lifestyles.
Land Fertility
The Thar Desert of today has historically been a fertile land bearing several crops. The flow of the river Indus through the region was one of the main reasons for its fertility. However, between 2000 BCE and 1500 BCE, it faced most of the desertification, which snatched most of its ability to support agricultural practices.
Culture
The ancient civilizations have left some of the cultures that are followed to date. The most commonly celebrated traditions include gatherings during the harvesting season, cattle fairs, music nights, cultural melas, and camel races. These events create a sense of great attraction and curiosity for tourists who travel from miles away to be a part of them.
Places to Visit in Thar Desert, Pakistan
Throughout history, Thar Desert Rajasthan has been a melting pot of commerce, traditions, cultures, and innovations. It is home to many attractions that grasp the attention of tourists from all across the globe. People usually visit the Thar Desert, Pakistan, between October and February as the days are relatively warmer and the nights chilly. This blend of pleasant weather is another attraction for tourists.
Mithi – the Capital of Tharparkar
Mithi is the capital city of Tharparkar District, Sindh, and provides shelter to a vast majority of Hindus. It has multiple attraction spots that attract tourists from all over Pakistan and outside the country.
Shree Krishna Temple
As Mithi is densely populated by the Hindu majority, there are multiple temples in the region where Hindus from local, national, and international communities visit and practice their religion. Shree Krishna and Jain Temples are the most visited sites in this region where Hindus from different regions and countries visit to practice their religion.
The Jain temple creation dates back to around 12th and 13th century. It was also enlisted as the Nagarparkar Cultural Landscape in 2016’s UNESCO World Heritage status tentative list.
Mabuhay
Around 15km from Mithi city, Mabuhay is a small village with a natural pond that attracts every eye. Its scenic view makes this location one of the most pleasant viewpoints to spend time in.
Gadhi Bhit
The Thar Desert is enriched with attractions such as Gadhi Bhit, a historical monument showcasing the antecedents and civilizations that lived in the region.
Café Thar
Nested in the scenic view of the Thar Desert is Café Thar promoting the Sindh culture along with traditional refreshments.
Chelhar – A Small Town Settlement
A beautiful small settlement situated around 30 km east north of the capital city Mithi. Chilhar is home to residents who belong to the Menghwar community. Some of its attractive spots are given below:
Raichand Rathore Library
Chelhar has multiple tourist spots, and Raichand Rathore Library is one of the attractions. This place is stacked with books, journals, and magazines that display the heritage and history of Tharparkar and Sindh.
Ranasar
Ranasar is a seasonal pond that emerges during the rainfall season. Being a natural wonder, this waterhole is visited by thousands of people.
Islamkot – the Neem Tree Region
This tehsil is also called the Neem tree region due to the presence of hundreds to thousands of Neem trees planted in the time of Nihalchand Pabani’s chairmanship. More places to visit in this region include:
Thar Museum
Temple Nenuram
Thar Coal Mines
Other Place Worth Paying a Visit in the Thar Desert Area
Thar Desert Pakistan area has enormous attractions that captivate the attention of national and international tourists. Its festivities, culture, historical importance, and scenic viewpoints make this region one of the most visited places in Pakistan. In addition to the above-mentioned places, the Thar Desert has the following locations worth visiting:
● Nagarparkar
● Churro Jabal Durga Mata Temple
● Karoonjhar mountains
● Bhudesar Mosque
● Naukot Fort
● Gori Temple
Activities to Do at the Thar Desert
The Thar Desert is well known for its beautiful sceneries, mountainscapes, ponds, and dunes. In addition to exploring its natural wonders, tourists can enjoy several other activities that will make their visit an unforgettable memory.
Star-Gazing
Life in the Thar Desert Pakistan is more natural and less artificial. Due to its clean and pure environment, the skies are clear. You can gaze at their twinling till morning fades them away.
Camping at Sand Dunes
Camping is another attraction for everyone visiting the Thar Desert. After hours of hiking and trekking on the mountain, you can settle anywhere by setting up your sleeping bags or camping tents. The sand dunes are your open ground for adventure and rest.
Festivals
The days of celebrations and cultural festivities do not see dawn in the Thar desert. The presence of heritage and ancestral traditions keeps the festivals enlightened. The Thar Desert is occupied by both Hindu and Muslim settlements. Therefore, tourists can attend different types of celebrations. For instance, Razi Shah, Pir Aalam Shah, Pir Hassan Ali Shah, Mueen Shah, and Syed Misri Shah melas are part of Muslim festivities. While Hindu fetes include Ram Gabbar, Sho, Par Barham, and Malhan melas.
Camel Riding
Camel riding in the sand dunes and across natural and seasonal ponds is another attraction for tourists in the Thar Desert, Pakistan.
In the End
The Thar Desert in Sindh province of Pakistan falls among the internationally recognized destinations. Its natural wonders, historical importance, heritage, and landscapes have been and still are exciting attractions for tourists from all over the globe. Hence, calling the journey through the Thar Desert an experience of a lifetime filled with historical insights, human spirits, and evolution won’t be overstatement.
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