Multan - City of Saints (Punjab)

 

Multan, the premier center of southern Punjab, is located on the banks of the Chenab River at the distance of 338 km from Lahore. It is accessed via Lahore - Abdul Hakeem Motorway M-3 as well as National Highway N-5. Multan is the fifth largest populous city of Pakistan. Multan is also known as cultural center in the province Punjab. Multan is also known as city of saints due to number of shrines of Sufi saints.

Multan is also known as the City of Saints as there are a number of shrines of different well-known Sufis in Multan. The most popular of those are shrines of Bahauddin Zikarya, Shah Ruke Alam, Pir Adil Shah, Shams Tabriz, and Khawaja Awais Kagha.

Multan is located between the Sutlej River and Chenab River. The Chenab River separates it from Muzaffargarh, whereas the Sutlej River separates it from Bhawalpur district. It has common boundaries with Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Vehari, and Khanewal districts. The National Highway N-5 runs in the center of the district and the fastest way to access Multan is through Lahore - Abdul Hakeem Motorway M-3. Multan is also located on the main railway track between Lahore and Karachi. Multan International Airport provides all of the national as well as international air services.

Multan is a historical city, the impact of various regime is still seen in the various locations in the city. You can different historical sites and ruins belongs to different rulers in this area. Due to massive damage by the British in their early times, most of its historical buildings are vanished totally. There are number of archaeological sites related to the Early Harappan period of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Multan Fort is located in the center of city near the Shrine of Shah Rukn-e-Alam. It was built by Katoch Dynasty Rajput, then rebuilt by Ranghar chiefs. It was badly damaged by the British as a revenge of the death of Lieutenant Alexander Vans Agnew. It memorial obelisk also located inside the fort. Multan Fort was equipped with military installations and used for city defense.

Multan was also a walled city, encircling the old city of Multan. It was badly damaged during the Siege of Multan and by the British. It is rehabilitated under the Multan Walled City Project. There are six gates to enter in the city.

Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam was Sufi saint in 1251-1335 A.D. It is located inside the Multan Fort. It was constructed in Multani architecture by using red bricks with blue and green decorations. Its doom is the second largest in the world.

The Prahlandpur Temple is located adjacent to Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam in the Multan Fort. It is ruin due to its destruction in 1992 by people in retaliation of the destruction of Babri Mosque in India.

Ghanta Ghar, Clock Tower of Multan, is located in the center of the city. It was built in 1884 during the British Regime. There is a hall with the Clock Tower called as Jinnah Hall and used for meetings and cultural programs.

Multan is also famous for mango and citrus forms due to its alluvial and flat plains. The best quality mangoes are exported to the countries to earn foreign exchange.

Multan is one of the hottest places in summer in Pakistan, but it has a pleasant weather in winter. In summer, temperature may rise above 48 centigrade. So winter is good time to visit the historical buildings as well as shrines of Sufi saints of Multan.

Multan is linked with all type of transportation including Multan International Airport. It is used for local as well as flights for the Gulf States. It is also connected with the main railway track Karachi and Peshawar.

Multan is famous for its sweet dish, Sonh Halwa. There are number of shops selling Sonh Halwa at the various locations in Multan. Visitors in Multan always prefer to purchase Sonh Halwa as gift of Multan.

Multan is famous for Sonh Halwa

Multan is famous for its delicious Sonh Halwa that is a sweet dish. It is popular in all over the Pakistan as well as exported to other countries. People love to eat in winter season. You can see number of shops selling Sonh Halwa in the Multan City. It is also available in different varieties of nuts.