Pakistan celebrated the United Nations WTO, World Tourism Day, on 27 September.
To commemorate World Tourism Day, a Cultural Caravan kicked off on a double-decker bus (along with a motorcade) from the modern capital, Islamabad, to arrive in the ancient capital, Taxila, in about 1 ½ hours.
Then called in the days of yore: Takshashila, aptly named after Taksha (son of Bharata), the first ruler of Takshashila, which also stood up to its literal meaning: City of cut stone, then located along the eastern banks of River Indus.
Today, the city boasts some 300 archeology sites, many designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
On the direction of the Tourism Minister, the caravan organized by PTDC in coordination with local stakeholders was participated by members of foreign missions, tourism ministers, MD PTDC, speakers and the media.
The historic Taxila Museum.
First stop: The historic Taxila Museum.
Delegates are briefed about the museum, which reflects the early style of masonry works. Opened to the public in April 1928, the tale-telling museum is well-stocked with some of the finest specimens of Gandhara art.
Excavation began in 1913 under the supervision of Sir John Marshal, and in later years, diggings were carried out at the various sites of ancient Taxila. More than 7,000 objects are exhibited in the form of sculptures of Buddha in stone and stucco heads and antiquities, including a comprehensive display of relic caskets, household objects, ancient tools, terracotta items, jewellery, and a collection of coins, also on display, jewellery and ancient fashion ornaments in gold and silver (Greco-Roman design) including bangles, bracelets, necklaces, rings. Part of this room is dedicated to a collection of coins from 6c BC to 6c AD.
The east gallery of the museum has an astounding display of objects that proffer an insight into the lifestyle of the people of ancient Taxila—a section exhibiting rare findings of the Kharosthi script, which was used as the official Gandhara language. You will be astonished by the commonality between then and now: water storing containers, water filters, cooking utensils, pottery, toilet items, working tools, combat weapons and items that echoed a refined civilization.
Second Stop: Jaulian (2ndc AD – 450 AD).
We assembled at the car parking area and began a steep walk up the ancient site of Jaulian, which is up a 100-meter hillock. In the KPK province, the Kushans built the site in a similar timeline to Mohra Moradu.
Jaulian comprises the main stupa, 21 votive stupas and 59 chapels depicting the life of Buddha in sculptures. The two-level Monastery building with 28 rooms, a bathing pool, and a kitchen area serve as a model, as we see today in Thailand and other Buddhist countries.
Home to the oldest and first University in Asia, Julian earned fame as the ultimate learning centre for literature, science, art and medicine.
Here, visitors can see the dilemma of the Cycle of Life: What goes up, comes down. This lost world that endorsed the richness in wealth, art, music, culture and lifestyle through the glory years succumbed to a ruined site after the invasion led by barbaric horse-mounted nomadic Huns from Central Asia.
Final Ceremony: Gandhara Art Village, Taxila.
At dusk, we drove to the Gandhara Art Village, which is dedicated to the artisans of Taxila. World Tourism Day is formally sermonized with a Keynote address by the MD PTDC, Mr Aftab ur Rahman. He emphasized the significance of tourism and the visitor’s economy. Other speakers revealed loopholes and setbacks that deter tourism in Pakistan, including weaknesses in the dynamics of international marketing, communication, visa and security issues, and lack of infrastructure. The Tourism Minister, Mr Wasi Shah, had directed the idea of celebrating World Tourism Day in the outdoors and his address, the Minister appreciated the efforts of local tourism-related stakeholders in holding the event and concluded the event with a big thank you to the participants, who were served with high-tea.
Written and Pictures by Saifuddin Ismailji
