PESHAWAR
\nTakht Bhai Bhai-a UNESCO world archealogical site where every stone and stupa speak of its glorious past, has attracted tourists in droves and brought them back to the pre- Greek, Lord Bhuddha era besides Ghandhara Civilization.
\nTakht Bhai in Mardan district is among 2,000 religeo-heritage sites and 30,000 relics of Gandhara Civilization found in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that draw tourists, monks, historians and followers of Bhuddism from different countries including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkye, Nepal and Singapore throughout the year.
\nKhyber-Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) has recently organized a captivating safari train excursion to the Takht Bahi archaeological site aimed at acquainting people with the profound history of Buddha-era heritage sites recognized by UNESCO as world heritage.
\nA total of 140 passengers embarked on the train safari, immersing themselves in the cultural and historical narratives of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, alongside insights into the ancient relics of Takht Bahi.
\nThe tourists also took keen interests in nearby ancient Sahr-I-Bahlol and Jamal Ghari in Mardan district.
\nThey also went around Takht-i-Bahi\u2019s Buddhist monestry which is well preserved by the government and intact.
\nThe train safari commenced its journey from Saddar Cantt Railway Station making sightseeing stops at City Railway Station, Nasirpur, Pabbi, and Mardan before reaching its destination at Takht Bahi Railway Station.
\nHassina Shaukat, Manager Events KP Culture and Tourism Authority and curator briefed the tourists.
\nEmphasizing KPCTA\u2019s strong commitment to promoting rail tourism, Hassina Shaukat expressed the authority\u2019s intent to organize similar tours in the future, offering tourists more opportunities to explore and experience the rich cultural heritage of the region.
\nShe said that these tours offer valuable insights into the rich history of KP, serving to attract foreigners to indulge in the diverse culture and traditions of the province.
\nUpon arrival at Takht Bahi, participants were escorted to the Takht Bahi relic\u2019s monastery, where they received enlightening briefings from the Curator of the Takht Bahi Directorate of Archaeology.
\nThe curator depicted the grandeur of the Buddha era and underscored the historical significance of these sites, acknowledged as UNESCO world heritage sites Bakhtzada Khan, senior research officer of the Archealogy Department told APP that
\nBhuddist Ruins of Takht Bahi (Throne of Origins) and Neigbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol and Jamal Ghari was included in UNESCO world heritage list in 1980.
\nHe said Takht Bhai monastery was in continuous use till 7th century (CE) composed of an assemblage of buildings constructed of stone on Gandhara patterns in diaper-style using local dressed and semi-dressed stone blocks set in a lime and mud mortar.
\nHe said neighbouring city remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol located in a five kilometers distance from Takht Bhai\u2019s monastery, is a small ancient fortified town of Kushan period.
\nIt was constructed on an elongated mound of nine meters height on 9.7 hectares surrounded by portions of a defensive wall in diaper-style characteristic dates back to the first two or three centuries (BC).
\nThe monastic complexes of the ruins are spectacularly positioned on various hilltops ranging from 36.6 meters to 152.4 meters height with a covered area of about 33 hectares.
\nThe boundaries of Sahr-i-Bahlol are well defined with a part of fortification walls still intact.
\nHe said the entire mountain area of 445 hectares of Takht Bhai has been declared as \u201cArchaeological Reserve\u201d to control urbanization at Sahr-I-Bahlol and Takht Bhai.
\nThe delegation was informed that both these historical sites were declared as protected monuments under an Ancient Preservation Act (1904) of the colonial era and Antiquity Act (1975) of the Government of Pakistan.
\nThe delegation expressed its admiration for what they had witnessed and appreciated the efforts of Directorate of Archaeology & Museums KP for preservation of the world heritage site.
\nThe tourists said that Pakistan can earn substantial revenue by showcasing the Takhtbhai site on digital and social media before world.
\nShort videos and pictorial coverage of these sites on social media platforms could turnaround Khyber Pakhtunkhwa\u2019 economy, they concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR Takht Bhai Bhai-a UNESCO world archealogical site where every stone and stupa speak of its glorious past, has attracted tourists in droves and brought them back to the pre- Greek, Lord Bhuddha era besides Ghandhara Civilization. Takht Bhai in Mardan district is among 2,000 religeo-heritage sites and 30,000 relics of Gandhara Civilization found in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":400863,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-400861","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n