Bashigram Lake Swat where Fairies dance
Bashigram
Lake is situated in the east of Bashigram (Madyan) valley. Its height above sea
level is 11,500 feet. It is considered one of the most beautiful lakes not only
in Swat but also in Pakistan. It is the best tourist destination and beautiful place to visit in Pakistan.
Allah
Almighty has blessed Pakistan with immense beauty. Tourists from Pakistan as
well as from all over the world get lost in charm of northern regions of Pakistan.
Bashigram is also called ‘Paristan’ (home of fairies) by locals. Learn more tourist places near me.
Travel to Bashigram Lake
After
covering a distance of 51 km from main town of Swat, Mingora, through Bagh Dehrai,
Madyan area begins. The road condition is significantly better till Madyan.
This
distance is easily covered in one and a half hours. A four by four (4 x 4) jeep
is required beyond Madyan because the road is in dilapidated condition.
This
distance is 12 to 14 km, but the vehicle takes up to an hour to cover it. On the
way, you have to get off the vehicle at Dara Kass because the track for jeep also
ends.
Beyond
Dara Kass, many small Daras invite you to see them, among which Dara Mughal is
worth mentioning because of flowing fields and fruitful trees. The people of
the area are not aware of cause of Dara Mughal Mar.
The
people of Bashigram Valley and nearby are extremely hospitable. Every ten to
twelve steps, whenever a local person is met, he must ask for tea and water
after saying Salaam.
After
a two-hour walk from Dara Kass, a small Banda (township) comes, consisting of
just three or four mud huts and a small mosque.
After
about an hour's walk from Dara Kass, the dense forest begins. During journey in
the forest, the sweet sounds of different birds melt the ears.
As
soon as you come out of the forest, greenery and colorful flowers refresh the
eyes everywhere. After about every 10 to 15 minutes of walking to the lake,
there is a freshwater spring or waterfall.
The
water coming out of the lake in form of stream cuts the way of tourists from
time to time. To cross the stream, huge trees have been cut and placed in the
form of bridges at different places.
A
man's heart feels strangely tickled as he walks on a tree-like bridge over the
raging water below. Guiders hold the hands of weak-hearted people and lead them
across the bridges.
Since
the stream passes mostly through forest or trees, its water is very cold. Even
in late August, it is very difficult to wash your hands with stream water.
Tourists
keep a bottle of cold water with them and drink it only after 10 or 15 minutes
when the water becomes drinkable.
As
the route to Bashigram Lake passes between tall mountains and thick forests,
the heat and thirst are less.
Best Weather to visit Bashigram Lake
The
lake remains covered with ice till the first week of July. However, July or
early August is considered to be the best time to visit there.
During
above mentioned days, fog and clouds are playing hide and seek in the lake area.
When the month of September passes, it starts snowing here regularly.
Since
the lake is located at a high altitude, in late August, while other parts of
the country are suffering from scorching heat, on the other hand, small pieces
of ice can be seen floating in the blue water of Bashigram Lake, seeing which
tourists get a strange euphoria. The natural winds and weather here are great.
The place is very beautiful but the roads are not good.
This
beautiful lake is surrounded by towering mountains on three sides (east, north,
south). To the west is the outlet of water. Thus the water falls down in the
form of a small waterfall which is visible from a distance.
Fairy Tales of Bashigram Lake
Like
other lakes of Swat, Bashigram is also famous for many strange and fictional
stories.
Here,
every Friday at afternoon, two golden bowls were seen floating on surface of
the water. One day some people left the Friday prayer and tried to get the bowls,
but in vain. After that day, no one has seen the bowls.
The
second fictitious story refers to emergence of only one bowl of gold on Friday
night, while the third story is heart-wrenching.
It
is said that once in the month of December or January, a wedding procession in local
mountains passed through the lake.
Due
to heavy snowfall, the temperature dropped below freezing, causing the surface
of the lake to freeze and form a vast plain.
When
they reached the lake, shadows of evening had deepened, none of them suspected to
travel more on frozen ice above the lake.
Meanwhile
someone suggested to spend the night on this vast plain (frozen lake) so that they
can take a rest and arrange the dinner. Tents were pitched after mutual
consultation.
A
fire was lit with the help of dry wood brought on mules, so that not only food
could be prepared but also to fight the freezing cold.
Thus
the fire was lit and wedding people divided into two parties. One party was
preparing food while the other were engaged in lighting the fire for bride and
groom.
Flames
flared, soon cracking the frozen ice on lake's surface. Both parties were
engaged in their own work, and suddenly the surface of frozen lake broke.
As
a result, the newly wedded bride, dowry, wedding people, mules and guard dogs
drowned in icy waters of the lake.
As
the lake is located on Alpine peaks, there is no one tree around it for a long
distance.
At
the height of 11,500 feet, when Bashigram Lake covers the head with mist, the
tourists fall in love with it at first sight.
Also visit: Beautiful Lake in Pakistan
Also visit: Saif-ul-Malook Lake and learn its Fairy Story
Please share your experience with us, if you visited Bashigram Lake of Madyan Swat Valley (Pakistan).
Please share your experience in Comments Box, if you visited any Tourist Place in Pakistan.