500 years old Village that is a favorite of foreigners and tourists; Saidpur

Today, I am taking you to a village that is five hundred years old. Last year, I visited this village, but my heart was craving to see it again. On my last visit to the village, I didn’t pay much attention to many historical places in this village. I was unaware of the treasure this village was holding inside. This village gives you a glimpse of ancient time. It expresses the religious harmony of old times.

I decided to start walking from the board where "Saidpur" was written as i didn’t want to miss anything to see. I wanted to see each little thing and observe every happening.

As i was walking, I stopped besides a well. A well from old tithe mes. People used to come over here with their pitcher and used to carry water in them. That culture is only written in the history and part of past.

I looked inside the well, there were dirty heap of water and leaves were spread all over the water. This well is of no use and attention. Time is changed.

I was quite confused while walking towards the village as the colorful buildings that were visible from distance were gone may be.

Statues of Punjab Rangers were standing on the other side of road. Troop carriers were passing by me. Some rangers with guns in their hands were looking at me as i was taking pictures of the statues.

Belive me, I was a little afraid but all that fear stayed in my heart. Overall, I was looking confident.

With walking confidently, I reached on the entry gate of the Village but stopped besides a elongated rock over which tourists and old places of the village were mentioned. Along with this big rock, a boy was sitting on a "Charpai(wooden cot)". He looked at me and i looked at him. From his appearance, he was ,probably, a motorcycle mechanic. Shop with many different motorcycle's tyres was opened there.

On my way, I also looked at people who were walking with a stick behind their animals. It shows that people of Saidpur are largely dependent on their animals for life.

I was crossing the main gate of the village. Some people were sitting over the small walls around the main gate. They were either busy with their mobiles or having conversations with their mates who were sitting with them. I smiled and walked away.

The very first thing of the village was cemetery. A oval shaped rocky door welcomes you in the cemetery. I kept on walking.

I was stunned to see an old home where no one lives now. It's barren, dusty, destructed and messed up. It's true picture of past that is untouched. Weeds were coming out of the red bricks.

Doors were broken and open. They are waiting for their residents to come and look after them but no one is coming. They all have gone to their destinations.

The paint is eroding. The wooden wardrobe is just carrying dust,dirt and insects. A spooky and ghosty chill ran through my cheeks and spine. My shoes were making creepy yet satisfying noise over crunchy leaves.

The walls was also narrating it's bad health story to me. I darted my eyes inside and observed the miserable condition of wooden furniture. All spooky and abandoned.

These branches of tree that are trespassing the private home stole my conscious mind. Looking odd but beautiful as nymph.

While seeing the condition of the abandoned home,I thought of the residents, their lifestyle and their time.

May be animals are relaxed now as they are freely moving and walking around the home. I saw a beautiful curious cat sitting on the top of red brick wall. There can be other case too. They might be missing those people who were residents of home as they used to feed these cats.

The ruined architectural of home reminded me of old 60s and 70s home. It is perfect treat to my nostalgia. Not everyone comes to see this tranquil home that is beautifully adorned with destruction and silence.

I could have spent hours while sitting there and observing the home but i have many sites to explore.
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."

Air was quite chill. It was striking politely and delicately to my cheeks. It was perfect companion in my solo exploration journey. I keep on walking to the ancient religious sites.

You know, I was quite disheartened after seeing the whitewashed homes of the village. I remember, In my last year visit to the same village, I loved the exotic, colorful and vibrant buildings of the village.

I sat with an uncle and asked him a question;

Why these all homes are whitewashed?

Betay, Government is doing this all.

Why they are making it commercial place. Why they are making it worse and bad by adding commercial markets to such a beautiful and historical village.

I literally cried!

In past, they already have messed up history with chaos. They have installed restaurants to the historical areas. What else they want to do now?

There is a colorful restaurant beside famous 500 years old Rama Temple of Saidpur Village. The place where restaurant is located used to be a pond but with time it is replaced with restaurant. Isn't bad?
But, What You or I can do?
Nothing, just enjoy whatever you got in your plate.

Pakistani Rickshaw that is famous all around the world due to it's vibrant, colorful and artistic look.

There was no Rickshaw driver and Rickshaw was goinf nowhere. Probably, It might take you to Hogwarts. That's why i sat inside the Rickshaw to take a snap of me.

I looked over my head. Fresco work on the dome that is masked by white paint. It should be revealed.

I walked through the restaurant. It is colorful and quite expensive. As i was walking through the restaurant, Nostalgia slided through my mind. I thought of my first visit to the restaurant.

Last year, I visited the restaurant with my school fellow. He was quite happy to see this restaurant but when we sat down to have something then shock made us tremble. We were shocked to see the menu of restaurant. It is surely made for foreigners and elite class.

I went upstairs and darted my eyes all around me. Almost the restaurant was empty. There were only two people who were having something spicy.

You know, My mobile's battery was low and i have to take so many pictures. The first problem to charge my mobile somewhere. A worker was cleaning the tables and setting the sitting area.
I requested the worker;
Can you please tell me where i can charge my mobile?

He helped me to charge my mobile and also offered me to sit on the chair. I sat down and started having conversation with worker as my mobile was being charged.

We exchanged many words with each other. I asked about his pay, expenses, life and lifestyle. He asked about my life and living.

After a while, He got busy in his work and my mobile was on charging.

I took my mobile and planned to resume my walk through the village. Ahh,I was stopped to meet a foreigner who was sitting over there. I am always curious to meet foreigners. I love to interact with them and remain eager to know their experiences in my home country.

I approached the foreigner visitor and greeted him. He was along with a local guide. Right after greeting, I asked to take his approval for a picture with him. He happily gave permission to me.

After taking picture, i introduced myself as a student. They asked about my course and about my life. I introduced them that i am a blogger too. He was quite happy to know and asked another question;

What type of blogging you do?
Daily blogging and mostly.... Travel blogging.

Oh, That’s really great.

I thanked them for being kind to me and resumed my journey.

Standing infront of the rocky entrance to 500 years old Rama Temple, I thought that how much old this door would be?

My eyes got a beautiful view of Golden color Gurudawara. It's religious and worshiping place for Sikh religion.

On the marble steps of the Gurudawara, different names are inscribed. The people who were visiting the temple were igoring the minor details of it. I removed dust from the steps and tried to read the names of people written there. I guessed that these would be people who paid for the Gurudawara. To check the reality, i searched about it on google and i found out that this Gurudawara was built in 1930 and the names over steps are of those people who spent money on the extension, renovation and refinement of the religious site. These people were from Rawalpindi.

I touched the round shape marble that was above the main door of Gurudawara. I felt it. I couldn't read the gurmukhi transcript but felt it.

I looked at the paint and floral designs on the walls of the Gurudawara. It was beautiful as usual.

The door of Gurudawara was closed. I tried to see through a small window. I couldn't see anything from inside.

Close to Gurudawara, there are two rooms that are being renovated. I asked about their history from a person who was renovating but he was totally blanked about the history. He only mentioned that these two rooms are old and ancient.

On a marble shield, name of the person who built these rooms was mentioned.

These rooms are being painted by workers who are working for the renovation. The red building with old architecture was looking captivating. A family came inside with a lot of noise and excitement. They were happy to see the monkeys who were walking and sitting over the walls of the buildings. They were jumping and making all of us happy.

I tried to know the history of these rooms. I learned that these rooms were part of dharamshala, a place for stay of pilgrims.

After creation of Pakistan, this treasure was shifted into a school but thanks to some people who thought to preserve the treasure. Later on, government preserved the area and adorned it. Now, it's a tourist spot.

The fresco and floral work on the wall reminded me of old buildings in Lahore. But, this fresco work is new. May be it replaced the old one.

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The red brick building was nostalgic in many aspects. It was successful falling me in love with it. Although, I was enjoying my presence over there and loving the architecture mixed with history but deep down, in my heart, I was wishing for opening of these closed doors. I wanted to see what's inside. I was curious and want to restore and reassurance everything that used to be here. Time passes and leaves the marks behind it.

The curiosity to explore the unexplored area is always very strong. My heart craves to go to no go areas. I wanted to go upstairs and wanted to take an ariel view of this old colorful and religious building.

It's Ram Kund or Ram Temple in Saidpur Village. How beautiful this coexistence of Hindu and Sikh Temple. They both are facing each other. One is standing on the side where sun rises and the other is standing on the side where sun drowns in the sea of limitless skies. I call it frienship of two historical buildings from times and this friendship is eternal.

My eyes were stuck but i came outside. My attention was not diverting from the building but i was walking away.

I was thinking to go back home but my heart was demanding more and more. I was determined that this time, I will see something new. I walked in a street. I was going in street until i was called by a kid. His call from back stopped me saying "Bhai, Ap kahan ja rahy hain?"(Brother, Where are you going?)

He approached me with a innocent questioning face. I replied him that i am trying to explore the village and i wanted to see something that i have never seen. Can you please guide me where should i go?

Brother, Have you watched 120 years old Mitti ky Bartan( pottery and clay made items)?

No- where's that?

Come with me.

I went with kid and he showed me the way to the old home that is one hundred and twenty years old.
I walked towards a street and inquired about old clay pots from an Uncle who was selling jalebi and samosa in a shop.

With his hand, he showed me the direction. I just took three or four steps and found an uncle who was sitting at the door of a house. He was quite old and addressed me in trembling voice. I couldn't understand his speech.

A boy, passing by me, translated his words to me;
Are you here to see one hundred and twenty years old clay pottery?

___ Yes

Old uncle addressed me; Ticket is 50 ruppee.
I nodded in yes. Uncle commanded the kid to go with me to the home.

The kid opened the door over which some floral patterns were made. I said; turn on the light of room at least i can take pictures of the items.

He turned on the lights of the room. Finally, It was a day for me. Things were visible for me.

The kid was demonstrating me. These items of clay are years old. According to him, this train and some other items are more than one hundred years old.

He showed me some other items that are new and made just months or days back.

Room was divided into two sections. I went to another section and looked at some really different and huge things.

At last, I took a selfie with my guider. He was very polite and shy boy. I asked him about the old uncle. He explained to me that uncle's father was potter and his father did much contribution to make these clay items. Later on, Uncle carried his father's legacy but now he is not well. He is struggling with paralysis.

I was listening to his story and came out to pay 50 ruppee to uncle. There was a woman standing at the door, probaby wife of uncle. I gave her money and started walking to next point.

The boy was walking with me. I took his help to know the next place in the village. He guided me through the streets and then he guided me way to go towards the hills. He said ; there are remains of some old homes. You have to walk a lot.

I walked on the back side of the village. A jeep with dirt catched my attention and then three friends were going back. They passed by me. I felt alone and lonely.

At the back of homes, I got such a beautiful view of lush green hills with cool breeze and fresh air. This fresh air was treat to my lungs that are tired.

Goats were also on hiking trail. They were walking to find food for themselves.

I noticed a boundary. I assume there used to be a stream that used to flow water but no water flows here now.

In the middle, I was standing alone. The only creature i was seeing were goats. My ears were listening to sound coming from distant rocks. He was a man with a bag behind walking up in the hills.

I thought to keep on walking up in the hills. I thought to sit down on rocks but then i thought to go back home. I had a plan to go for movie. It was delaying.

I started walking back to home but still the scenic beauty of village was keeping me caged there. I stopped at the bazaar. I would have buy or ate something but it was quite expensive.

My two eyes were not enough to catch and capture the reality. I lived these moments. I was fearful of two dogs who were barking at each other. I was afraid they might catch me in their teeth. I was afraid.

I booked motorbike on indrive app and waited for it's arrival. I had to go to cinema house. In the meantime, I walked in the colorful and cultural restaurant in the village.

I absorbed every color, happening, sounds and life around me. It was beautiful solo trip to 500 years old village where tradition is still alive.
There are many dimensions that are left to explore in the village.

Thank you so much for your read.
Images are taken by me

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