Lahore Lahore Aye

Lahore Lahore Aye

The saying “Jine Lahore Nai Vekhya O Jamya E Ni” (He who has not yet seen Lahore, has not been born!”) is quite famous all over the Pakistan about Lahore.

DECORLOOT

Let me write today’s blog about my first love “the city I was born in, Lahore”. Lahore, the capital of Punjab and Pakistan’s 2nd largest city is a prosperous cosmopolitan and Pakistan’s cultural heart, making it one of the most visited cities by domestic and foreign tourists. The city of Lahore is also popular with visitors thanks to its striking street food. Every nook, corner, building and street is steeped in history and has a story to tell; all you have to do is step outside. Old Lahore city was surrounded with giant walls and had 12 big doors. Roshnai Gate is believed to be the starting point of the walled City of Lahore. River Ravi used to pass near Northwest wall of Lahore Fort over 200 years ago. Lahore is derivative name of Luv, and Kasur is of Kusha. Both were sons of Lord Rama, mentioned in the epic Ramayana. Lahore is historically an important place in the South Asian Subcontinent. Famous buildings made here during the time of the Mughal Empire include the Badshahi Mosque, the Lahore Fort and the Shalimar Gardens. It was capital of the Sikh Empire of the early 19th century.

Lahore is the second largest city of Pakistan and the provincial capital of the Punjab. Lahore is a very happening place, people think they know a lot about it. Almost everyone has an opinion on Lahore, its people, its food, its architecture, its politics. So, keeping public interest in mind, let me tell you some interesting things about Lahore.  

Ø  Lahore is One City with Sixteen Dialects.

Ø  Mohammad Rafi started his career in Lahore.

Ø  Lahore Get Its Name from Hindu Ramayana.

Ø  Interesting contradiction it’s Moti Not Mochi Gate.

Ø  Heera Mandi was not a taboo place, it was the cultural hub of Lahore named after a guy Heera Singh thus those Diamonds Are Not What You Think They Are.

Ø  Actual city of Lahore was the Walled City of Lahore/Old Lahore.

Ø  City surrounded with 12 Gates, and they are

1. The Raushnai Gate, or the "Gate of Light" is between the royal mosque and the citadels.

2. The Kashmiri Gate is so called because it faces the direction of Kashmir.

3. The Masti Gate is not the actual name but is rather twisted and pronounced instead of "Masjidi," which means a mosque.

4. The Yakki Gate. The original name was "Zaki," which was derived from the name of a martyr saint, who, according to tradition, fell fighting against the Moghal infidels from the north, while gallantly defending his city

5. The Dehli Gate is so called because of its opening on to the highway from Lahore to Delhi.

6. The Akbari Gate was named after Mahomed Jala-ud-din Akbar, who rebuilt the town and citadel.

7. The Mochi Gate is the name wrongly pronounced. It was name was actually Moti meaning a pearl. It was called so after the name of Moti Ram, an officer of Akbar, who resided here at that time.

8. The Shah 'Almi Gate was named after Mohomed Mo'azzam Shah 'Alam Bahadur Shah (the son and successor of Aurangzeb). He was a mild and generous Emperor, who died in Lahore on the 28th February 1712.

9. The Lahori Gate also known as the Lohari gate has been named after the city of Lahore.

10. The Mori Gate is the smallest of the gateways and as its name implies, was in old times used as an outlet for the refuse and sweepings of the city.

11. The Bhatti Gate was named after the Bhatis, an ancient Rajput tribe who inhabited these quarters in old times.

12. The Taxali Gate was named after the Taxal or royal mint, that used to be in its neighborhood during the period of the Mahomedan Emperors.

Ø  Lahore is considered as the educational seat of Pakistan with universities and colleges that offer MBBS Medicine, Engineering Universities/ Colleges in Lahore, many arts and agricultural universities. Most of the books in Pakistan are published in Lahore.

Ø  Hub of Cultural & Performing Arts:  People of Lahore celebrate several festivals throughout the year which allows for the city to remain lively. Lahore is also renowned for Basant, the Festival of Lamps or Mela Chiraghan, the National Horse and Cattle show, Pakistan parades.

Ø  Historical Heritage: Lahore is not just a city, Lahore is a civilization. There are many place to visit in this city, i.e. historical fort of Lahore, Queen Noor Jahan’s tomb, Shalamar Garden, Wahga Border, Badshahi Mosque and Lahore zoo. There are many markets you would enjoy to shop from like Shah Alam market, Liberty, Ichhra and Anarkal are worth to visit. Let me list few worth seeing places in lahore, they are: Jahangir Tomb, Badshahi Masjid, Shahi Qila (Royal Fort), Minar-e-Pakistan, Shalimar Garden, Bagh-I - Jinnah, Race course Park, Lahore Museum, Museum of Pakistan army, Wagah border, Eifel Tower Bahria Town, Arfa Kareem Tower…ITU, Bahria Grand Mosque, Jallo park, Fortress Stadium, Qaddafi Stadium, Alhamra Cultural Complex.

Ø  Cuisines of Lahore: لاہوری پکوان‎) Lahore is a city with an extremely rich food culture. People from Lahore are famous all over the country for their love for food. The city offers a vast variety of options when it comes to gastronomy. Following is a list of some foods of which Lahore is renowned for having unique tastes.

Chicken Lahori, Gosht karah., Dal gosht , Murgh Cholay/Channay, Murgh , Seekh, Gol gappa, Dahi bhallay, Shawarma, Chicken tikka, Biryani, Haleem, Falooda, Halwa Poori, Nihari, Samosa, Kheer, Paya Lahori Fried Fish, Chargha , Daal, Lahori Steamed Charga, Lahori Chana Chat, Lahori Daal Murgh, Lahori Red Chicken Karahi,Hareesa - A mixture of Mutton & Lentils, Fried Fish, Beef Bong Paaye - Beef Shank meet with foots, Chikkarh Chollay, Naan Haleem, Chicken Sajji . To serve most of these dishes at one place there are 3 Food Streets in Lahore

        I.            M M Alam Road Food Street

      II.            Fort Road Food Street

    III.            Gawalmandi Food Street.

Ø  Lahore is the Hub of IT industry in Pakistan.

In short I can say that “Lahore Lahore Aye” – As one often comes across this popular phrase, in Lahore as well as many other places in Pakistan. The possible reason behind it being the friendly, open-hearted and welcoming nature of Lahoris. Last but not the least Lahore is a city worth visiting atleast once in a life time as  “Jine Lahore Nai Vekhya O Jamya E Ni”

By: DECORLOOT