The ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery are situated on the top of a 152-meter (500 feet) high hill. It is located about 80 kms from Peshawar and 16 kms northwest of the city of Mardan. The monastry of Takht-i-Bahi was first mentioned by General Court, the French officer of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1836. Takht-i-Bahi is the most impressive and complete Buddhist monastery in Pakistan. From the top of the hill behind monastery one can look down across the plains as far as Peshawar on one side and up to the Malakand Pass and the hills of Swat on the other. This site has produced fragmentary sculptures in stone and stucco that indicate the highly developed sculptural sense of their creators. But the most remarkable feature is the design and arrangement of the range of small shrines, which surrounds the main stupa-court. This site, dating back to 2nd-3rd century A.D., consists of a large rectangular court, on the north of which is the main monastery and to the south is a well-planned monastic shrine of high terrace.

The Vinaya text throws light on the architecture of the monastery. The village is built on the ruins of the ancient town, the foundation walls of which are still in a tolerably good formation. As a proof, that it was in the past occupied by the Buddhists and Hindu races, coins of those periods are still found at the site. the monks constructed it for their convenience. Spring water was supplied to them on hill tops; living quarters for ventilators for light and alcoves for oil lamps were made in the walls. From the description of Song Yun, a Chinese pilgrim, it appears that it was on one of the four great cities lying along the important commercial route to India. It was a well-fortified town with four gates outside the northern one, on the mound known as Chajaka Dehri which was a magnificent temple containing beautiful stone images covered in gold leaves. Not far from the rocky defile of Khaperdra did Ashoka build the eastern gate of the town outside of which existed a stupa and a sangharama.

The group of buildings unearthed after archeological excavations at Takht-i-Bahi may include; the court of many Stupas, the monastery, the main stupa, the assembly hall, the low-level chambers, the courtyard, the court of three stupas, the wall of colossi and the secular building. In 1871, Sergeant Wilcher found innumerable sculptures at Takht-i-Bahi. Some depicted stories from the life of Buddha, while others more devotional in nature included the Buddha and Bodhisattava. The Court of Stupas is sorrounded on three sides by open alcoves or chapels. The excavators were of the view that originally they contained single plaster statues of Buddha either sitting or standing, dedicated in memory of holy men or donated by rich pilgrims. The monastery on the north, was probably a double storied structure consisting of an open court, ringged with cells, kitchens and a refactory.

A visit to Takht-i-Bahi is an informative experience particularly to those interested in archaeological excavations. Walking further, you will come accross the monestary court which was a residential area and as such a small number of sculptures were recovered. However, a beautiful emaciated Siddhartha in three parts was discovered. Likewise the other courts with Buddha’s images in stucco are equally interesting and they were used either for meditation, meetings or storage. A truly majestic place!

The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab Limited (TDCP) is a Public Limited Company owned by Government of Punjab. Its main objective is to promote and develop Tourism Industry in Pakistan.

Transport Wing of Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab provides comfortable transport system to the different tourist destinations on regular and seasonal basis. The transport system is equipped with a fleet of luxury A/C buses and operated from Tourist Information Centers located in the heart of major cities of Punjab. Advance booking is available round the clock at the terminals, booking is also be made on telephone.

Address 140-A, Shadman-II, Lahore Telephone (92-42) 7576830 Fax (92-42) 7576829 E-Mail tdcp@lhr.paknet.com.pk Web Site www.tourism-punjab.com

Established in 1970, WWF – Pakistan (WWF-P) is the largest conservation Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in the country. WWF – P aims to conserve nature and ecological processes by preserving genetic species & ecosystem diversity. Ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable in the longer term. Promoting actions to reduce pollution and the wasteful exploitation and consumption of resources and energy.

Address PO Box: 5180, Ferozepur Road, Lahore-5400 Telephone (92-42) 5862360/5869429 Fax (92-42) 5862358 E-Mail wwf@lhr.comsats.net.pk Web Site www.wwfpak.org

” The Adventure Club – Pakistan ” was the banner selected for the club with the basic objective to introduce and promote adventure activities in Pakistan, especially among youth.

Now, the Club announces several programs for the interest of people of all age groups and with diversified range of activities on annual basis. The multi dimensional activities of the Club do not offer only trekking & camping programs but also carries the credits to train youth for camping, trekking and rock / ice climbing etc.

Though the activities of the Club are adventuresome and recreational but are based on education oriented objectives. The most important thing to be emphasized in the programs of the Club is social & ecological conservation of the area visited.

For adventure and fun the Club organized trekking programs for K-2 Ghonodoghoro La, Biafo & Hispar glaciers and Mazino Pass while with serious objectives, the Club established free medical camps, organized cleaning programs in various regions and have participated in plantation programs etc.

For advanced technical training, the Club schedules training camps and the members also participate in training courses conducted by other reputed organizations.

Address PO Box No. 2071 – Islamabad E-Mail adventure@sat.net.pk

Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation is a public limited company set up in 1970 with 99.75% government shares. Its main objective is to work as an arm of the Federal Government to develop tourism infrastructure and to act as a catalyst by encouraging the private sector to play more active role in tourism promotion and development. Its other duties are; to act as an agent of the Federal Government for production and distribution of tourist literature/material for publicity and promotion of tourism at home and abroad. It also undertakes tour operation and provide ground handling facilities for group tours.

Address Information Service P.O. Box 1465, Agha Khan Road, Markaz F-6 (Super Market), Islamabad Telephone (92-51) 9212760, 9202766 Fax (92-51) 9204027, 2274507 E-Mail tourism@isb.comsats.net.pk Web Site www.tourism.gov.pk

PTDC Tourist Information Centre in Pakistan

PTDC is providing tourist information and related publications to the incoming visitors through its 21 Tourist Information Centres located throughout the country. Plans are under-way to set up permanent Information Booths at Karachi and Peshawar Airports whereas such Counters are already set up at Islamabad and Lahore International Airports. For more information and local assistance, please contact any of the following PTDC Tourist Information Centre in Pakistan;

City Address Telephone Abbottabad Club Annexe, Jinnah Road (92-992) 334399 Bahawalpur PTDC Motel, Club Road, Near DC Office (92-621) 82853 Gilgit 19 JSR Plaza, Near PIA Office, Main Bazaar (92-572) 3939, 4262 Islamabad Agha Khan Road, Markaz F-6 (Super Market (92-51) 9202766, 9212760 Karachi Shafi Chambers, Club Road, Saddar (92-21) 9202971 Lahore oom No.3, Faletti’s Hotel, Egerton Road (92-42) 6306528, 6363946 Mohenjodaro PTDC Motel/Hospitality Complex (92-741) 459266 Multan Hotel Sindbad, Nishtar Chowk, Bahawalpur (92-61) 512640 Peshawar Benevolent Fund Building, Saddar Road (92-91) 286829 Rawalpindi Room No.7, Flashman’s Hotel, The Mall (92-51) 5581480 Quetta Muslim Hotel, Jinnah Road (92-81) 825826 Saidu Sharif PTDC Motel, Opposite Swat Serena Hotel (92-936) 711205 Skardu PTDC K-2 Motel (92-575) 2946 Sost PTDC Motel, Pak-China Border, Sost Gojal - Taftan PTDC Motel, Pak-Iran Border (92-886) 510302, 510248 Thatta PTDC Hospitality Complex - Taxila PTDC Motel, Opp. Taxila Museum, Museum Road (92-596) 2344, 534890 Wagha PTDC Motel, Indo-Pak Border (92-42) 6581644, 6581505