Things you should know while travelling Swat valley

The serenity in the Swat valley of Pakistan has the hypnotizing Effect. The unfolding creativity of nature there is beyond comprehension. It is alluring to experience solitude with the natural beauty of Swat Valley.

The practice of devoting to the bliss of calmness is soothing and reviving. One has to visit this place to wipe away the miseries of life. the roaring Rivers, meandering streams, glacier-fed lakes, pine meadows ice-capped peaks of Mankial and flaksair, fruit-laden orchids, glowing green fields, flower-filled mountains slopes along with the hostility of people make the Valley, hallmark of magnificent tourist resorts of Pakistan.

The Swat valley sprawls over 10350 sq. km. the temperature of summer in its peak is just below 25C and as low as 7C. The capital of the valley is Saidu Sharif with its twin city Mingora the largest one. Bahrain, Madain, Kalam and Malam Jabba and Madyan are its most fascinating tourist resorts. The height of these cities ranges from 991 meters above sea level at Saidu Sharif to the top highest mountain Flaksair which is 6257 meters high.

Let us now delve into the history of the Swat Valley to fully understand its worth.

Swat was described as ‘’Udyan’’ meaning the garden in the ancient Hindu scriptures. Alexander the Great crossed the valley in 327 BC. He fought and won some of his major Battles at Barikot and Udegram and stormed plains of the five rivers. In the Greek writings, these places are remembered as Ora and Bazira. With the demise of Alexander the Greeks lost control over these colonies and flunk the northern colonies of the subcontinent situated west of the Indus River after that these were annexed by Chandra Gupta.

After the second century BC to the 9^th century AD, the valley became the cradle of Buddhism and found almost 1400 monasteries. This was the time when Swat became the hub of Gandhara School of Sculpture which was the mixture of Buddhist style and Greco Roman sculpture. The ruins of these monasteries are still found in the Swat Valley.

Now we just have come out of the beauty of Swat valley, so let’s find a way to get into this wonderful place. So to reach out, Swat Is linked by road and by air with Islamabad, Peshawar. People also use the regular bus and Van service between Rawalpindi and Mingora. There are hotels to stay by every class of society be it elite or middle class. The reasonable amount allures everyone.

Furthermore, the local handicrafts include embroidered linen, hand woven rugs, and shawls, silver, tribal jewelry and carved woodwork.

The beauty of nature is unimaginable. Everyone is attracted to it. When someone will observe and feel the beauty of Swat valley the tranquility will affect his mind and soul and gives them a feeling of refreshment and delight.

Contributor: Tooba Mujtaba