Who depicted some mysterious and random lines over a rock formation in Haldeikish, Hunza? Nobody is clear in answering this question. However this amazing rock has become a cultural asset of extreme importance. The art over this rock consists of some figures , inscriptions and carved compositions.  According to a strong belief, these Chinese and Sogdian inscriptions belong to Kushana period. The names and pictures of some of the Kushana emperors are also engraved on the sacred rocks of Hunza.

Sacred Rock of Hunza in Pakistan – Image © Toufeeque Siddiqui

This sacred rock of Hunza in Pakistan is located on the left bank of the Hunza River on a hill top almost a mile away from Karimabad. This amazing cultural heritage is situated on the famous Karakorum Highway and it is a 200 yards long and 30 ft. high rock structure. The archaeologists divide the sacred rock of Hunza in two portions as the upper portion mainly consist of inscriptions in Kharoshthi, Brahmi, Proto-Sarada, Sarada and Sogdian languages. Mostly the names of the Kushana emperors and the names of other emperors Kanishka and Huviskha etc., appear in these inscriptions. Similarly, in one of the Brahami inscriptions, the name of Trukha or Turk king Ramudasa is also mentioned.

The engraved figers of Ibexes at the sacred Rock of Hunza in Pakistan

In the other portion of the sacred rock of Hunza in Pakistan, there are numerous, in fact thousands of carvings of ibexes which is testimony for being the Ibex as the cultural symbol in this area since Pre-historic era. The figures of Ibexes have shown them in different hunting situations along with some horned human deities playing with ibexes. Natural disasters are also the biggest threat to this wonderful cultural heritage as the sudden uprising of the water level at the Hunza river might sweep away this cultural wonder at any time.

Pakistan is a real wonder land. Some of her gifts of nature are though discovered but are still unknown to most of the world. When we talk about the largest glaciers of the world we think about the Polar Regions but many of them are also situated in Pakistan. One of those is Biafo, the third largest glacier on earth which is located in Gilgit Baltistan. This 63 KM long frozen mass is a part of Karakorum Mountains of Pakistan.

Biafo-Glacier-Pakistan

This whole area where Biafo Glacier is located is a cluster of many mountain peaks and huge glaciers. The views and sceneries of surrounding area are so breathtaking and consist of many natural wonders. For trekking the Biafo Glacier is not an easy destination. It requires very hard toil of several days with delirious boulder leaping. The trek towards Biafo Glacier is rocky and snowy having dangerous chasms most of the times. But apart from this the whole trek is just magnificent where splendid lakes of shimmering blue waters are existed. These lakes are appeared due to the continuous movement of Ice bergs resulting from depressions. Many lush green spots with spectacular species of wild flowers are also found on this trek. The wildlife of this wonder land consists of the Ibex , Markhor , Brown bears and Snow Leopards.

Biafo-Glacier-Gilgit Baltistan-Pakistan

The Biafo Glacier meets Hispar Glacier at an altitude of 5,128 m (16,824 ft) at Hispar La (Pass) and thus they both create the world’s longest glacial system outside the Polar Regions. Similarly they are also connected with the spectacular valleys of Nagar and Hunza. Biafo, third largest glacier on earth is so beautiful and wonderful which offers a real adventure for the mountaineers , trekkers and nature lovers.