a hiking trip to tilla jogian

7/25/2019 A Hiking Trip to Tilla Jogian

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A memorable Tilla Jogian hike

Shaikh Muhammad Ali

23rd January 2 16

By


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The last article I wrote was on 14thJune 2014 which was on a trip toTaxilaandKhanpur Dam.As

mentioned in my last article, my reflux disorder(GERD)continued to strike over and over again and I

had to visit a doctor inKarachifor consultation. I had to undergoEndoscopyagain and new drugs

were prescribed to me. Although, I religiously took the medicines but could not find relief. The

problem of vomiting became so severe that I started to lose my marbles.

Talked with my friends again in Karachi who found me a surgeon who had returned from the USA a

few years ago and was doing this surgery to rectify the GERD. This surgery was calledNissen

Fundoplicationand was not being conducted in Islamabad. Ultimately, I took an appointment with Dr.

Abid Jamal and flew to Karachi on 11thAugust 2014. The doctor gave me an appointment after five

days and I came under the knife on 16thAugust 2015.

Thanks to the advancement in Medical technology, my abdomen was not opened and only five

incisions were given in my stomach and my duodenum was operated upon through laparoscopic

surgery. The surgery took almost 3.5 hours and I was unconscious for another two hours after the

operation. Gosh, it was painful and it took almost 3 months for the pain to subside. I went through somuch pain during this disease for almost a year thus the pain after the operation became bearable.

My life pattern had changed during this entire episode. I stopped hiking, visiting places, my travels

and tours. I stopped reading and writing my articles. My work, my social life, my family life suffered

and there seemed to be no end to my suffering. After this surgery, I am almost back from the dead and

I could not stop thanking God enough that he has granted me a new lease on life. I must thank my

parents, my sisters, my wife, my children and some very close colleagues and friends who helped me

come back and supported me all the way.

Islamabad, strangely is experiencing an extremely cold winter this year around. It is about 3 DegreesCelcius and it is extremely cold. Even the heater is not providing the warmth which it is expected to.

We cannot just wait to have spring again which would bring new life to the eco system around.

Well, I am here again and writing my new article after a hiatus of 1.5 years. I will try to pick up the

threads from where I left and will write about theTilla Jogianhike which we undertook on 15th

December, 2012.

This is what Wikipedia writes about Tilla Jogian:

Tilla Jogian(in Punjabi Urdu:

) is the highest peak in the EasternSalt Rangein

Punjab,Pakistan.At 975 meters (3,200 ft) above sea level, it is about 25 km to the west ofJhelumcity

and 10 km west of the model village ofKhukha.The view from the top ofTillais highly rewarding.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxilahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxilahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxilahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khanpur_Damhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khanpur_Damhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khanpur_Damhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesophageal_reflux_diseasehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesophageal_reflux_diseasehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesophageal_reflux_diseasehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karachihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karachihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karachihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoscopyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoscopyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoscopyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissen_fundoplicationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissen_fundoplicationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissen_fundoplicationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissen_fundoplicationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilla_Jogianhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilla_Jogianhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilla_Jogianhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urdu_languagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urdu_languagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Rangehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Rangehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Rangehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjab_(Pakistan)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjab_(Pakistan)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelum_Cityhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelum_Cityhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelum_Cityhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khukhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khukhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khukhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tillahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tillahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tillahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tillahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khukhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelum_Cityhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjab_(Pakistan)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Rangehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urdu_languagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilla_Jogianhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissen_fundoplicationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissen_fundoplicationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoscopyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karachihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesophageal_reflux_diseasehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khanpur_Damhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxila


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Rohtas, PakistanFort is located to the east of Tilla Jogian at a distance of about 7 km fromDina,a

rapidly expanding town on theGrand Trunk Road1.

LOCATION

Tilla Jogian can be seen from districts ofMandi Bahauddin,Gujrat,JhelumandChakwal.It issituated on a commanding place near theJhelumRiver. From its height of 3,200 feet, you can

see a panorama unparalleled in Pakistan.

HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE

For thousands of years it was a place of sun worship for theHindusbecause the sun can be seen

here earlier and sets here later due to its height. It became a place of worship for Hindus. Tilla

Jogian inPunjabimeans theHill of Saints. This is where theKanphata Jogis, who pierced theirearlobes and were an order founded byGuru Gorakhnathhave left behind amonastery.

MENTION IN LITERATURE

Tilla Jogian also finds mention in the epic love poemHeer RanjhaofWaris Shah.Ranjha, thestory's protagonist, who when spending his time on the rebound, sublimating his love and

passion in the spiritual world, came here for consolation and got his ears ringed here as was the

tradition of Guru Goraknath's followers.

Tilla Jogian comprises a complex of Hindumandirshousing at least three baths and a network

of waterworks with at least two minor dams. There are number of ways to reach at the top: One

from Rohtas Fort side and the other from Sanghoi, theJhelum Riverside.

TheMughalEmperorJahangirvisited this place many times and mentions this in his memoirs.For theSikhPunjabis there is also another significance to Tilla Jogian asGuru NanakDev ji,

the founder ofSikhismis said to have spent 40 days in quiet seclusion at Tilla Jogian. TheSikhs

during the rule of MaharajaRanjit Singhmade a stone pond here in his memory. TheBritishmade a road and a pond here for water.

Prime MinisterNawaz Sharifvisited Tilla Jogian and did some protective work for the safety ofits pristine beauty2.

Back to the main story:

As usual, I got up at 5:30 a.m. For Fajr prayers. Woke up Adil (my older son) and Mohsin (my

younger one) around 6:00 a.m. Had breakfast at home while Rizwan Khan (my office colleague)

1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilla_Jogian2https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilla_Jogian
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohtas,_Pakistanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohtas,_Pakistanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dina_Tehsilhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dina_Tehsilhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dina_Tehsilhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Trunk_Roadhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Trunk_Roadhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Trunk_Roadhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandi_Bahauddinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandi_Bahauddinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandi_Bahauddinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujrat_Districthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujrat_Districthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujrat_Districthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelumhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelumhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelumhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakwalhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakwalhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakwalhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelumhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelumhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelumhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindushttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindushttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindushttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjabi_languagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjabi_languagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjabi_languagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Gorakhnathhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Gorakhnathhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Gorakhnathhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monasteryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monasteryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monasteryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heer_Ranjhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heer_Ranjhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heer_Ranjhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waris_Shahhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waris_Shahhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waris_Shahhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandirhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandirhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandirhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelum_Riverhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelum_Riverhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelum_Riverhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empirehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empirehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empirehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahangirhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahangirhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahangirhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Nanakhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Nanakhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Nanakhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranjit_Singhhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranjit_Singhhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranjit_Singhhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rajhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rajhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rajhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Pakistanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawaz_Sharifhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawaz_Sharifhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawaz_Sharifhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawaz_Sharifhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Pakistanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rajhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranjit_Singhhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Nanakhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jahangirhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empirehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelum_Riverhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandirhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waris_Shahhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heer_Ranjhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monasteryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Gorakhnathhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjabi_languagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindushttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelumhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakwalhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelumhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujrat_Districthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandi_Bahauddinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Trunk_Roadhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dina_Tehsilhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohtas,_Pakistan


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reached here by 7:10 a.m. We reached the venue i.e. Rahat Bakery in Blue Area @7:30 a.m. where

about 5-6 hikers were already present.

(Meeting the other hikers near Rahat Bakery, Blue Area, Islamabad)

Finally, till 8:30 a.m., a total 12 of us had gathered. We embarked on our journey while picking 4

hikers from Fazaia housing society and other stops enroute the way, reaching the base camp close to a

village called Domail around 10 minutes to 11:00 a.m.

(The team is ready to scale the Tilla Jogian top)


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We started the hike at 11:00 a.m. sharp and reached the peak by 2:30 p.m. We enjoyed the views on

our way to the top.

(The views while ascending were amazing)

The ruins of the temples were marvelous but not well kept.

(The writer along with his two young guns)


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The pond made in memory of Maharaja Ranjit Sigh was huge but there was very little water in it.

(The pond built in memory of Maharaja Ranjit Singh)

Eight of the Gurus of the Sikh religion had visited this place and had spent some time here in solitude

and prayer. This was inscribed at one of the walls at the site.

(The inscription proving that 8 Gurus of the Sikh lineage were here)


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Another inscription at one of the walls.

(Another inscription at the walls)

We enjoyed tea and snacks along with the wonderful company of the Asian Study Group (ASG)

members.

(The ASG group enjoying tea and snacks at the top)

Some more pictures at the top.


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(The hikers posing at one of the mandirs)

(A panoramic view at the back)


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(Another memorable picture at the top)

(A brief history of Tilla Jogian byTDCP)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_Development_Corporation_of_Punjabhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_Development_Corporation_of_Punjabhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_Development_Corporation_of_Punjabhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_Development_Corporation_of_Punjab


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(A parting group photo before the descend)

We took a lot of pictures and retreated by 3:15 p.m. reaching the coaster by 5:30 p.m. We missed

Zuhr, Asr, & Maghrib prayers all in a row.

We reached Rahat bakery by 8:30 p.m. and home by 8:45 p.m. Had a warm bath, offered all the Qaza

prayers. Later prayed the Isha and after having an early dinner, retired to bed by 9:30 p.m. with

another feather in the cap.

Parting Note:

Secrets spoil in open air; they lose their potency, so they are sealed away. Once the secret is

locked in a safe, the subject, in essence, never gets to exercise the ancient right to face ones

accuser.

Shaikh Muhammed AliThe Wandering ervish

E-mail:[email protected]

Cell: +00-92-321-5072996Saturday, 13thRabi ul Thani, 1437 H

23rdJanuary 2016, 18:20 p.m. (PST)
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

a hiking trip to tilla jogian

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