Solo Visit To Masjid Wazir Khan

It was 2'O clock in the evening. I had explored Shahi Hammam (Royal Bath House) and my next destination was Masjid Wazir Khan. I was walking through the old Bazar which is now echoing with bikes and people.

I was walking without knowing the exact location of Masjid and listening to my heart's voice. I was walking by intuition. I reached a central point where roads meet. These type of meeting points are known as Chowks.
Similarly, this point is known as Wazir khan Chowk.

Right in the middle, there is an old well. This is Dina Nath's Well. Dina Nath was a Sikh Nobleman. This well was constructed in 19th century. It was an open well but now it is encapsulated in a building.

Infront of this well, A history depicting board is narrating the value and worth of this chowk and this well. Sadly, that board was full of dust and no one dared to see the situation of board. It was drenched in dust. I cleaned it with my hands. I read some lines in Urdu and English.

A visitor can see the well's building from a particular distance. It is forbidden to go near the well. There could be many reasons behind this action. God knows!

Now,this chowk is filled with humans who are selling some items and other humans are buying items.

It is evident that this Chowk wasn't that much messed up with buildings as it is now. Buildings are sort of climbing at each other. Architecture of recent time is so messed up that it has lost meanings.

Behind the trees, I was seeing the colorful building of Wazir Khan Masjid. I always heard about this Masjid. It was my first time that I was visiting this historic marvel. My heart's excitement was on peak. I didn't jump with excitement. Beacuse I was holding my inner self with all calm and peace.

Infront of Masjid, there is square shape area and visitors can enter from both sides. My eyes fell on the nearby houses and their unique styles of presenting themselves. It is all looking exotic and vibrant to me. The doors of these houses are full with wooden detail work. Ah, My mobile's camera that is so weak to capture any beautiful and intricate detail.

These windows that are sort of coming out of the buildings are Jharokas. These windows are part of Indian classical architecture. I love these jharoka. I am sure that whenever i will be able to build my home, I will make Jharokas from where i can look down in the street.

Dear Diary, I was so engrossed in observing the surroundings that i forgot my way to go. I was walking on edge and about to fall. Then I hold myself and walked on the right way.

Renovation was going on around every side. Wherever, I was observing, I was seeing people renovating buildings. This area is becoming a beautiful place to visit. I am happy to see government's initiatives to restore the treasure of history.

The boundary of Masjid is properly defined and walled. The view which you will get by standing in square area of Masjid is a tomb of saint. This tomb is from recent times. It is evident that this particular tomb is recent because it's architecture is simple and sudden.

What I actually mean by simple and sudden architecture? It means that architecture of recent times is so bizarre that it doesn't ring the vibe. It is not marvel. It is not out of the blue. It is just outcome of machines and not humanistic expression as it used to be. It's very artificial and superficial.

Along with Masjid, there is a calligraphers market which was built to collect revenue for the renovation and other purposes of Masjid. This market is still alive today. Market was meant for endowment fund for Masjid.

I entered a shop where a girl in burkha was sitting on a chair. She was listening to songs (maybe) on mobile with one handsfree in her one ear. I took permission from her to click pictures. She gave me permission to take as many pictures as i wanted.

A beautifully adorned wooden chair was resting besides me. Around that chair, there were many art pieces which were beautiful and they made me stop there for more than ten mintues.

Through art pieces, Culture of Pakistan is visible. This culture is unique, historical, vibrant and at the same time colorful.

Culture is nothing without woman. A woman is showed picking cotton in the cotton field. Pakistan is an agricultural country. The economy of Pakistan is majorly based on agriculture sector. Moreover, Cotton is one of five major crops in the country. If you go to the countryside, you will see many women who are moving in the fields and picking cottons.

She is a woman from South Punjab, holding a beautiful embroidery design of Dupatta in her hand. These designs cannot be defined without taking in the contribution of women. They are the one who created these beautiful yet intricate fabric designs.
These same designs are visible in the architecture of this region.
I was curious about all these clicks. I asked a question from the lady sitting inside the shop.
Are all these things made or clicked by you?
No, I am just a government employee over here. These all art pieces are from different artists from all over the Pakistan. They will receive money from government when these items will be sold out.

I stepped towards the next stop. There were many paintings and drawings attached to wooden stand. A boy of my age was sitting on counter, with a mobile in his hand. I took permission from him and he allowed me to take clicks.

The room was almost filled up with many drawings and paintings. I was astonished that why these paintings aren't getting appreciation?
I asked him the same question which i asked from the other shopkeeper. Are all these art pieces made by you?
No, these all are made by my father and I am here to support him.
That's great.
After searching and seeing the shops, I stepped towards the main area of Masjid. The facade of Masjid is unbelievably beautiful and stunning.

It's a intricate pattern. I am sad over my mobile that it cannot capture the real beauty of architecture which i was seeing through my naked eyes.

I am amazed that what sort of color, pigment or things they have used? Because, Still these colors are so attractive and real. It feels like they used real colors of nature.

I went inside. There was a person who was collecting shoes of visitors and taking care of them. It might be strange for foreigners but it's totally normal for us. I gave my shoes to the person and got a token. On my way back, i have to show that token and then i have to pay 20PKR.After that, i will get back my shoes.
Leave shoes here, Let's walk inside the Masjid!

You will be welcomed by domes, minarets and a square shape area which is specified for ablution.

On left and right side, You will see wooden doors. These doors are locked. I assume these all are rooms which are not open at this time.

There is a tomb in middle of Masjid. At the time of visit, I was not aware that this is actually a tomb of saint from history. I came back home and searched about it. I got that this tomb is tomb of Miran Badshah.

There is beautiful floral motifs and wall paintings. These are fading away with the wings of time still timeless.

As this all architecture is persian style so i was feeling like i am visiting a Masjid in Iran. After seeing this beautiful and intricate fresco work in the masjid, I became fan of Persian Architecture. I want to go to Iran for sure.

Such huge and big Masjid with intricate designs is outcome of so much human dedication and work. The answer is simple that how's this possible? Actually, People in the history didn't use mobile phones and they were free to pursue their creativity all the time. Still, it's magic for me.

Inside the Masjid main's hall, there were some people who were offering prayer, some were laying down and spending some leisure moments out of their homes.

Verses from Quran Majeed are written in all that intricate fresco and kashi kari work. Kashi Kari is Persian style tile work which is unique and stunning.

These walls have seen hundreds of people who came in this masjid to offer pray. Now, these walls are becoming old and the inside's material is unfolding itself.

Believe me, I was happy beyond words and astonished beyond anything. I cannot define the worth of this old and beautiful art. This is out of this world for me. It's treat for my eyes. I don't know what will be your perception but i am done here with all this art.

Fun fact; My mobile's battery was just 11 percent in the masjid and i wanted to click pictures. I put off my bag and searched for electric plug to charge my mobile. I charged my mobile upto thirty percent and then i resume my journey back.

Holding all these moments in my memory's book, I walked out of the Masjid. I still wanted to be there. I paid 20 ruppee to shoekeeper and took my shoes back from him. I walked outside. There were two foreigners who were also there to visit Masjid. I believe they didn't explore it in a way it should be. They just skimmed through it. They were talking in a different language, I don't know. Holding mobiles in their hands and clicking pictures of everywhere.
I wanted to talk to them but then i thought they might feel it off or weird. I can guide them and narrate them the whole history of the Masjid. I feel like they explain these things in their terms and in their own way.

Outside in the free space, I saw a boy who was trying to catch a sparrow. I made a call "Don't do this,Little boy".

On my way back, I saw a stall of bengals and girls were all around the stall. I took permission before clicking a picture of it.It was a fulfilling visit and i walked away with a smile on my face.

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