Altit Fort, Hunza

Excerpt on back:

Thought to be more than 700 years old and located 3km from Baltit (traditional capital of Hunza),

Altit fort was the original seat of the rulers of Hunza. Perched on a rocky cliff with a sheer 1,000

feet plunge to the Hunza River, the fort is an intricate maze of rooms connected by small

doorways,ladders and trapdoors, built on three levels.

The Altit Fort was in great disrepair, but has recently been restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture Historic Cities Support Programme and the Government of Norway. It is characterized by small rooms and low portals with exquisite wood carvings. Japan has contributed to the renovation of the surrounding old village. Altit Fort is a tourist site which has been open to the public since 2007.

Source:Wikipedia

Thanks to Hasnain for this beautiful card from Hunza.

 Sent: 14 Sept 2015   Received: 5 Oct 2015   Travelled: 21 days

Dhamaka Lake

Dhamaka Lake which falls on the way of Atror

 

Thanks to Usman for this beautiful view of Pakistan!

Sent: 19 May 2014,   Received: 3 June 2014   Travelled: 15 days

Patarak village, Pakistan

Patarak village towards Dir to Thal village.

Thank you to Usman for this view.

Sent :19 May 2014  Received 3 June 2014   Travelled: 15 days

Karakoram, Pakistan

 

Gasherbrum-1 (8066m) Baltistan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasherbrum

 

Thank you Fatema for this majestic view of the mountain valley of Pakistan

 

Sent: 3 October 2013

Received: 10 October 2013

Travelled: 7 days

Kalash girl

 

Kalash girl in traditional robes

 

The culture of Kalash people is unique and differs completely from the various ethnic groups surrounding them. They are polytheists and nature plays a highly significant and spiritual role in their daily life. As part of their religious tradition, sacrifices are offered and festivals held to give thanks for the abundant resources of their three valleys. Kalasha Desh (the three Kalash valleys) is made up of two distinct cultural areas, the valleys of Rumbur and Brumbret forming one and Birir valley the other, Birir valley being the most traditional of the two.[citation needed] Kalash mythology and folklore has been compared to that of ancient Greece,but they are much closer to Indo-Iranian (Vedic and pre-Zoroastrian) traditions. This can be explained as Hellenic, Vedic traditions. Some of the Kalash people claim to be descendants of Alexander the Great's soldiers, however, extensive genetic testing has shown no connection.The Kalash have fascinated anthropologists due to their unique culture compared to the rest in that region, similar to ancient Persians

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalash_people

 

Thank you Hasnain for this ethnic card, I learnt a lot from Wikipedia about this tribe.

 



Sent: 13 September 2013

Received: 28 September 2013

Travelled: 15 days