I think many ATP readers might find this one very interesting. This is an ancient rock picture located somewhere in Pakistan. Can you guess what is it and exactly where? In case you know about it, please share as many details as you can. I must tell you though that the current status of this rock picture is unfortunate and sad.Happy guessing.
Note: We will let you know about the photographer and his website after few days.
20 comments posted
Have Your Say (Bol, magar piyar say)
Please respect the ATP Comment Policy.
Keep comments on topic; no personal attacks; don't submit indecent, inflammatory, slanderous, uncivil or irrelevant comments; flamers and trolls are not welcome; inappropriate comments will be removed or edited.
If you won't say it to someone's face, then don't say it here!
Readers who want to use a URL should please use the TINY URL program.
Thanks, and keep the comments coming!
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - search engine optimization and advertising specialist.
Janeeta is right. This is the Chilas stupa. I had the privilege of bring there and seeing it myself in 1998. I find it hard to believe that such hospitable and lovely people have turned violent as you guys are describing. It is unfortunate indeed.
I have no clue what it is. But it must be in NWFP, possibly in Swat area. What is it darvesh?
As I have said earlier that the above picture is a petroglyph of a Buddhist stupa near Chilas. Such petroglyphs are a common sight along Silk Route (Chilas and Thalpan Bridge). Roughly 30,000 petroglyphs and 5,000 inscriptions have been found covering a 100 km area along the Indus River. These petroglyphs include images of animals, caravans, and stupas.
Stupa is a mound like structure used as a grave site since pre-historic times. In Buddhist architecture stupa hold a significant place. It has been said that Buddha ordered his disciples to place his ashes in a stupa built at a cross section of four roads, as was contemporary Indian tradition for the funeral of great men. After the death of Buddha his ashes were divided into eight kingdoms, where eight stupas were built. Each of these stupas is symbolic of eight major events in Buddha’s life.
There are different theories as to what the structure of a Buddhist stupa represents, but mainly it is said that it represents Buddha and his mind. Another theory suggests that the structure of stupa represents five basic elements i.e. Earth (the base of stupa), Water (the dome), Fire (Spires above dome), Wind (the umbrella like structure above spires) and Space (the moon/drop like structure on top).
Petroglyphs are images carved on rocks with stones and metal chisels. The petroglyph shown in this picture is one of the finest petroglyph known for fine decorative banners attached to its spires. The dark brown color of rock is due to natural coating (a.k.a. desert varnish) that occurs in arid environment. The darker the coating the older the rock is. But it’s saddening that this petroglyph had been defaced and lies in a very bad condition. Only God knows better when our Ministry of Culture & Heritage will start thinking and preserving such sites of great importance.
Takh-i-Bhai? A budhist symbol there?
Jaded, so what you are saying is that you really don’t know… that’s the real sad part about how you treat your minorities, those cynics who make such silly statements themselves don’t even care enough to know!
The cynicism of those shedding crocodile tears for extremism is really sad here.. the fact is that they don’t care and know either… most relics are destroyed in Pakistan not by the extremism of the religious but by the neglect of the supposedly culturally sensitive crowd. Shame on all of you cynics!
A budhist picture somewhere in the northern areas now destroyed by the religious extremism.
Cannot wait to know?
I will tell you what this is………… this is the sad and unfortunate way that pakistan treats its minorities and their religious artefacts and history………. i hope that sums it all