The Land of the Desert is located in the southern part of the province of Punjab, Pakistan. This is called “Cholistan” commonly and it is known locally as “Rohi“. This arid zone is spread over an area of 27,000 Sq. Km which is mainly the part of Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan districts. Cholistan has very harsh climate with a very low rain fall annually and this has resulted the most of its part to remain barren. The people of Cholistan pass a nomadic life and they move continuously in search of water and feed for their cattle. They are mostly dependent upon the domesticated animals including camels, sheep and goats.

The people of Cholistan speak Saraiki language and their main wealth is their livestock. The livestock breeding helps to overcome the need of the milk and meat of the surrounding region. However, the Cholistani people have some other professional activities like clay pottery, weaving, creating the wool products and leather works. Sculpturing and pottery is actually the gift from the nearby Indus civilization to the people of Cholistan. The wool produced in Cholistan is considered very refined which is mainly used in the carpet knitting. They also prepare many other woolen goods. The local textile industry of Cholistan is involved in the making of the traditional clothing items like Ajrak, Chunri, Sufi, Gargas, turbans and shawls which are designed on tremendous patterns and colors. Another famous product of Cholistan is “Khussa” which is prepared by the local shoemakers with exquisite compositions. The women of Cholistan are particularly famous for their traditional ornaments which are also their specialty. The bangles, nose pins, necklaces and anklets are the fundamental feature of the Cholistani fashion.

Although the people of Cholistan are suffering from the basic necessities of life for centuries, they have amazing richness in their culture. Their life is full of colors as they use bright colors not only in formal but in normal wear. Their customs and traditions are also very unique and attractive for the outer world. The Colors of Cholistan are exceptionally prominent in the festive occasions where many musical and dancing theatres are organized. Special traditional food like “Saag – ( Spinach ) ” and ” Khunmbi ” are prepared. Camel Dancing and Snake Charming are also very enticing for the visitors. The craftsmanship of the artisans at work is very distinctive and it is expressly admired.

Here are some glimpses of the Colors of Cholistan which are captured in the eye of camera superbly by some eminent photographers.

Generally the Cholistani people live in the mud houses having walls of unbaked earth; The mud house is often constructed of molded sun-dried blocks of mud slush.

A mud house in Cholistan

 Colors are so important in the clothing of the people of Cholistan. Even the males wear bright colors. Look at this Man from Cholistan ;

A Cholistani Man_( Image : Agha Waseem Ahmed )

The women of Cholistan remain busy in their household tasks. They also help their men in the daily business. This woman of Cholistan is engaged in her daily routine ;

A busy woman of Cholistan in her daily routine ( Image: TARIQ HAMEED SULEMANI )

Water scarcity is the main issue in Cholistan. Many ponds of water have dried up and the long dry spells are the main threat for the people of Cholistan. The women normally bring water from the water wells which are the underground water resources.

The women of Cholistan around a Water well ( Image : Agha Waseem Ahmed )

The women of Cholistan go to the water ponds together in form of groups, fill their pitchers with water and bring them back to their homes.

Water carrying women of Cholistan ( Image : Nadeem Khawar )

The livestock breeding is the main job of the Cholistani herders. Their herds normally consists of precious cattle genetics ;

A herd of sheep in Cholistan ( Image : AMEER HAMZA )

The inhabitants of Cholistan love camel. A special breed of camel is known as Mareecha breed and this name is associated with the local tribe, Mareccha.

The Camel dance in Cholistan ( Image : Iqbal Khatri )

The Snake Charmers of Cholistan travel and explore this fantastic desert; they visit different places and show their dancing snakes to the spectators. This is the main source of their earnings and they remain in the search of snakes during the entire summer.

A group of snake charmers in Cholistan ( Image : Muzammil Pasha )

Derawar Fort is a fortified structure in Cholistan which is famous for the tourists for its magnificent location. This glorified fort stands erected with its amazing towers in the golden sand of Cholistan but some parts of Derawar Fort are decaying rapidly due to negligence of authorities.

The famous Darawar Fort in Cholistan ( Image : Tariq Hameed Sulemani )

The City Mosque is also named after Darawar Fort.

City Mosque of Darawar Fort ( Image: Ahahita Hashmani )

The camels are used by the people of Cholistan as the main mode of transportation.

The local transportation of the people of Cholistan ( Image : Dr Ahsan )

The folk culture of Cholistan is very rich. The land of the desert has produced many legends in the fields of folk music and performing art. This is a photograph of the local Cholistani singer.

A folk singer from Cholistan ( Image : ENGINEER J )

Chanan Pir is a famous saint of Cholistan and his burial place is also named after him as Chanan Pir village. Annually, thousands of people from distant places come to celebrate the Chanan Pir Festival.

An image of the Chanan Pir Festival of Cholistan ( Image: Nadeem Khawar )

Colors of Cholistan

Colors of the Chanan Pir festival at Cholistan

The male folk dancers dress up themsleves as female while performing publically in many festivals. This is their thousands of years old tradition, as they dislike their females to perform as dancers.

A male folk dancer of Cholistan dressed up as a female ( Image : AWAIS YAQUB )

The ancient ruins of Mauj Garh Fort in Cholistan

The ruins of Mauj Garh fort in Cholistan ( Image: Nadeem Khawar )

In the Cholistan desert, an Annual Jeep Rally, known as Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally is also oganized.  It is the biggest motor sports event in Pakistan.

Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally ( Image by Max Loxton )

A documentary on Cholistan ( Courtesy PTV )

A symbol of Rebirth in the Hindu ideology of fertility which has tremendous significance in the religious lives of Hindus is the King Cobra. The King Cobra is truly the emperor of the cold blooded reptile family of the snakes which is endemic to the thick highland forests of South Asia and South East Asia. King Cobra, the Monarch of Snakes is an enormous snake which can grow up to 18 feet and obtains an average length of 10-12 feet. So this way the King Cobra is also one of the longest snakes of the world but they still keep another distinction. The King Cobra is the longest venomous snake of the world.

Furious King Cobra ( Image : Gerry Morgan )

Can you imagine that the head of the King Cobra is of the size of an adult human hand and it can stand almost one third of its total length. Although the King Cobra is color blind but still they have better eyesight than the other snakes and can see any movement from 300 ft away. The color scheme of the King Cobra varies from region to region. In India, the King Cobra has the yellow and black patterns while in some other parts of the world they are also found in blackish brown with white and ivory patterns. The King Cobra is both day and night predator and they have equally good quality of swimming and climbing. They love to spend most of their times in the trees. Normally the King Cobra is identified by their big hood and the stripe on the neck is like the symbol “^” instead of a double or single eye shape(s) that may be seen in most of the other Asian cobras. The male is larger and thicker than the female. The average lifespan of a wild king cobra is about 20 years. The King Cobra also generates a fearsome hissing sound which is almost like a dog growl.

Forked tongue of the King Cobra ( Image : Tad 20D on flickr )

The forked tongue of the King Cobra is so much supportive to find the prey and receive the chemical information. Although the venom of the King Cobra is not the most toxic in its nature but still the King Cobra can eject almost 2 spoon quantity of venom in one time which is enough to kill 20 humans and one elephant. The King Cobra also has deadly fangs which are almost half-an-inch long. The venom of the King Cobra destroys the nervous system and also stops the respiratory function in the body which ultimately results in the heart failure. If the venom comes in contact with the human eyes, it can cause an immediate and severe irritation of the conjunctiva and cornea that, if untreated, could result in permanent blindness.

The Male and Female King Cobras ( Mating ) Image : Adithya Biloor

The mating season starts from January till April and the both male and female King Cobras discharge a musk smell through which the couple reaches each other. Both the male and female King Cobras perform a nuptial dance face to face with heads held high. After the mating the female usually deposits 20 to 40 eggs into the mound, which acts as an incubator. She stays with the eggs and guards the mound tenaciously, rearing up into a threat display if any large animal gets too close, for roughly 60 to 90 days. Unlike other mother snakes the female King Cobra is of pure motherly nature and properly brings up her young ones. She also avoids eating them up.

As the scientific name of the King Cobra Ophiophagus Hannah denotes that the King Cobra is a snake eater. The diet mainly includes rat snakes, small pythons and even smaller venomous snakes. They can also coil their prey like birds and small rodents. They also eat lizards, frogs and other smaller vertebrates.

Exotic King Cobra

King Cobra, the Monarch of Snakes is also associated with several myths and traditions. They are exhibited mostly by the snake charmers and the King Cobra has been used as a model for small statues, jewelry and decorating items. In India, it is believed that the King Cobra possesses a very sharp memory and recognizes its enemy forever. It is also believed that the King Cobra takes the revenge if its partner is being killed. Similarly there is also a unique tradition in Burma (Myanmar ) in which a young girl stands in front of the King Cobra and offers it milk in bowl and further kisses her on the head.

Austin Stevens – In Search of the King Cobra (Full Documentary) HD