Shrines in Lakana, Sindh, Pakistan.

Shrines in Lakana, Sindh, Pakistan. After the death of the Islamic Prophet, Muhammad, some Islamic communities have developed a rich tradition of shrine culture. However, in his lifetime such shrines did not exist. In fact he forbade taking graves as places of worship. Most Islamic shrines are dedicated to various Sufi Saints and are widely scattered throughout the Islamic world. It is a tradition to commemorate the death of the Saint, by holding festivals at his tomb to commemorate his life. In several countries, the local shrine is a focal point of the community, with several localities named specifically for the local saint. In some parts of the Islamic world, such as in Pakistan, these festivals are multi-day events and even draw members of the Hindu minority who often revere the Muslim saint, such as in the case of the famous Lal Baz Qalandar shrine in Sindh, Pakistan – an important example of religious syncretism that blurs the distinction between members of different religions. Sufi shrines in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan are also host to a night of commemoration by songs and dances every Thursday. Some people claim that such practices of singing and dancing were influenced by Hinduism long ago when Muslims and Hindus co-existed in the sub-continent since Islam clearly forbids any singing or dancing in worship. In Turkey, the famous Whirling Dervishes perform their dance at the shrine of Jalal-ud-Din Rumi in Konya, while in Morocco and Algeria, brotherhoods of Black African Sufis, the Gnouia, perform elaborate song and dances at the shrines of their Saints. Further, Shia's have several shrines dedicated to various religious figures important in their history, and several elaborate shrines are dedicated to Shia Saints and religious figures, most notably in Kerbala, Najaf, and Samarra in Iraq, and Qum and Mashad in Iran. Other important Shia shrines are located in Mazar-e-Sharif ("the Noble Shrine") in Afghanistan, and in Damascus, Syria. Numerous Shia and Sufi shrines were once located in Saudi Arabia in its initial days. However, they were destroyed in the 1930s by Saudi Arabian government as Muhammad had forbidden building over graves since it leads to Polytheism and idol worship. Other important Shrines were once found in Central Asia, but many were destroyed by the Soviets. According to some teachings of Islam, it is totally forbidden to build structures over graves.Those who adhere to these teachings of Islam strictly disapprove of shrines and visiting them.It was narrated that Jaabir said: The Messenger of Allah forbade plastering over graves, sitting on them and erecting structures over them. (Narrated by Muslim, 970). Islam has also inspired a hard-line and anti-Shrine ideology in traditionally tolerant and shrine-revering areas, such as in Egypt and Pakistan, on the grounds that they are forbidden within Islam, and in the case of Pakistan, are a throwback to pre-Islamic Hindu traditions since Hinduism and Islam co-existed before the independence of the two countries. The Sufis allow dancing, drums and musical instruments, and raising the voice when making dhikr, but Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts…” [al-Anfaal 8:2] Muhammad said : “When a righteous man died among them, they would build a place of worship over his grave and put those images in it. They are the most evil of mankind before Allaah.” (Al-Bukhaari, 427; Muslim, 528) It was narrated that Abu’l-Hayaaj al-Asadi said: ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib said to me: “Shall I not send you on the same mission as the Messenger of Allah sent me? Do not leave any statue without erasing it, and do not leave any raised grave without leveling it.” (Narrated by Muslim, 969) http://jsqm.webs.com/apps/videos/videos/show/4936154-historical-tour-larkana-to-saan-sain-gm-syed-shrine ">">

All about Larkana.... Sindh, Pakistan

All about Larkana


Location: 
http://www.maplandia.com/pakistan/sind/larkana/larkana/  
 

A glance of the map of Sindh reveals that Larkana, from location point of view enjoys a strategic position. After Karachi it is largest city on the west bank of river Indus in Sindh. It lies on 27o 33' North latitude and 65o 16' East longitutide. The city is located in upper Sindh at a distance of about 85 km south west of Sukkur. Important towns in the vicinity of Larkana include Dokri, Naudero, Ratodero, Qambar, Bakrani, Shahdadkot, Badah and Miro Khan.

Larkana before partition:

'Hujaee nano ta ghum Larkano' if you have the money, then visit Larkana. That's one of the most popular idioms by which Larkana has been described right from its existence. Known to be a poetic city with a romantic aura in the air, Larkana projected a loving feeling despite the fact that it lacked the beauty or precision seen in Shikarpur or Karachi. Larkana has been famous for the Guawa fruit production. But above and all these descriptions, Larkana derives its historical importance from the fact that it is the actual cradle in Sindh to the mother of all civilisations, namely 'Moen-jo-Daro' or The mound of the Dead, which is located in the vicinity of Larkana.

Larkana was founded about 300y ago by a a tribe of Sindh called "Laraks" on the banks of the Ghaad Waah, which was dug at the behest of the kalhora rulers, it had fruit and flower garden along it and in time settlers lile the sailors from 'Laar' came and settled down here which got the place christened Larkana. But this place actually progressed under the British rule in the early twentieth century and went to be the headquarter of the province in 1901 AD with its main towns being Nao Deo Qamber and Rato Dero. Larkana got status of Muncipal Committee in 1855 AD. With the completion of the Sukkur Barrage in 1931 towards the west of Larkano was the Dadu Canal and in the east the Rice Canal which went on to become a place for cultural gatherings in the initial days but with the onset of the Rice Canal the Ghaad Waah started drying up and the place lost its charm.

This place has been often referred to as the 'Eden of Sind' or 'Shiraz of Sind' or even Bang-e-Anam' which led to it being known as the Garden City. This probably came about on the basis of the numerous garden that were there in the city, the most famous being the 'Tajar Baugh' and 'Gyan Baugh' apart from 'Tolani Baugh', 'Riyali Baugh', Baaey-jo-Baugh', Thanwar Baugh',' Karamam Baugh', 'Lahori Baugh', 'Dharami Baugh', 'Lekhraj Baugh'. Amongst these gardens the mangoes from Tolani Baugh and the beir from Dharami Baugh were famous throughout the world and much in demand. Two public parks also adorned the city namely 'Bolus Park' which was used for political and social gatherings and 'Mazdoor Park' which was a open air study place for the budding students.

Modern Larkana:

Larkana is the most important city in the North West Sindh. Being home town of many political personalities, it exercises a countrywide influence. Larkana got status of Divisional Headquarter in 1988.

Climate of Larkana:

The city of Larkana falls within a plains of Indus Valley stretching from north to south. The average mean maximum and minimum temperatures during summer are 48 oC and 33 oC respectively. During winter the average mean maximum and minimum temperatures are 21 oC and 11 oC respectively. The average annual





Location:

A glance of the map of Sindh reveals that Larkana, from location point of view enjoys a strategic position. After KarachiIndus in Sindh. It lies on 27o 33' North latitude and 65o 16' East longitutide. The city is located in upper Sindh at a distance of about 85 km south west of Sukkur. Important towns in the vicinity of Larkana include Dokri, Naudero, Ratodero, Qambar, Bakrani, Shahdadkot, Badah and Miro Khan.

Larkana before partition:

'Hujaee nano ta ghum Larkano' if you have the money, then visit Larkana. That's one of the most popular idioms by which Larkana has been described right from its existence. Known to be a poetic city with a romantic aura in the air, Larkana projected a loving feeling despite the fact that it lacked the beauty or precision seen in Shikarpur or Karachi. Larkana has been famous for the Guawa fruit production. But above and all these descriptions, Larkana derives its historical importance from the fact that it is the actual cradle in Sindh to the mother of all civilisations, namely 'Moen-jo-Daro' or The mound of the Dead, which is located in the vicinity of Larkana.

Larkana was founded about 300y ago by a a tribe of Sindh called "Laraks" on the banks of the Ghaad Waah, which was dug at the behest of the kalhora rulers, it had fruit and flower garden along it and in time settlers lile the sailors from 'Laar' came and settled down here which got the place christened Larkana. But this place actually progressed under the British rule in the early twentieth century and went to be the headquarter of the province in 1901 AD with its main towns being Nao Deo Qamber and Rato Dero. Larkana got status of Muncipal Committee in 1855 AD. With the completion of the Sukkur Barrage in 1931 towards the west of Larkano was the Dadu Canal and in the east the Rice Canal which went on to become a place for cultural gatherings in the initial days but with the onset of the Rice Canal the Ghaad Waah started drying up and the place lost its charm.

This place has been often referred to as the 'Eden of Sind' or 'Shiraz of Sind' or even Bang-e-Anam' which led to it being known as the Garden City. This probably came about on the basis of the numerous garden that were there in the city, the most famous being the 'Tajar Baugh' and 'Gyan Baugh' apart from 'Tolani Baugh', 'Riyali Baugh', Baaey-jo-Baugh', Thanwar Baugh',' Karamam Baugh', 'Lahori Baugh', 'Dharami Baugh', 'Lekhraj Baugh'. Amongst these gardens the mangoes from Tolani Baugh and the beir from Dharami Baugh were famous throughout the world and much in demand. Two public parks also adorned the city namely 'Bolus Park' which was used for political and social gatherings and 'Mazdoor Park' which was a open air study place for the budding students.

Modern Larkana:

Larkana is the most important city in the North West Sindh. Being home town of many political personalities, it exercises a countrywide influence. Larkana got status of Divisional Headquarter in 1988.

Climate of Larkana:

The city of Larkana falls within a plains of Indus Valley stretching from north to south. The average mean maximum and minimum temperatures during summer are 48 oC and 33 oC respectively. During winter the average mean maximum and minimum temperatures are 21 oC and 11 oC respectively. The average annual precipitation is 115 mm and humidity between 40% to 60%.

Physical Features:

Larkana city is divided into three parts having tow physical barriers i.e. railway line and Rice Canal. The old town is located towards east of railway line which is densly populated and has already developed as a commercial and retail center. This part comprises Qafila Sirai, Ali Goharabad, Galib Nagar, Surahia Padhar, Kadri Muhalla, Ghareeb Mukaam, Leelaabad, Karma Bagh, Daree Muhalla, Gajanpure, Murad Wahan, Allahabad, Zulifiquar Bagh, Jinnah Bagh.

The second part of the city is between railway line and Rice canal towards the west of the old town. Main buildings and muhalla's in this part are Circuit House, Sir Shahnawaz Library, Chandka Medical College, Chandka Medical Hospital, SP office, DC office, High Court, Pilot Scondary School, STN TV station, Boys Degree College, Lahorri Muhalla, Peoples Colony, Doctors Colony.

Third part is located between Rice canal and on both sides of Ghar Wah, north west of the town. Newly developed Muncipal housing Colony, Shaikh Zaid Woman's Hospital, Commissionerate building, District Jail, Childrens' Hospital, Director Education, Larkan FM Radio station, Shaikh Zaid Colony, Police training center

Educational Institutions:

Educational Institutions in Larkana are Chandka Medical College, ZA Bhutto Agricultural College, Cadet College, Government Degree Colleges For boys and Girls, Commerce and Arts College, Oriental College, Law College.

Public Parks:

Jinnah Bagh, Zulfiquar Bagh, Shahnawaz Childrens Park, New Railway Park 1 & 2, Nawa Tak Park, Kamal Ata Turk Park and Tank Chowk Park. it is largest city on the west bank of river