Those who live in Lahore or know a little about this part of the world are definitely familiar how this city is a beautiful combination of being a modern metropolitan as well as the hub of an age-old culture. The old city was once enclosed inside 12 gates, many of them are gone but some still stand high signifying the lavish stories of the emperors who, once, ruled the sub-continent.

The recent government has done some great work in terms of keeping up the sanctity of the ruins and made the old city more accessible – so visiting the place is not difficult anymore. I was made acquainted to it in 2012 when my photographer husband inculcated this hobby and made me visit old Lahore during Fajr time. Since, old city is a hub of wholesale market, it is a better idea to visit it early morning before the beginning of the business day. Otherwise, the usual rush, hustle and bustle of traditional carts would make it almost impossible for the visitor to even walk through those tiny streets rest aside admiring the old heritage.

Winters is usually a good time. We wake up around 4:30’ish, pick up our gears and head towards Delhi gate. It is one gate from where the old city walk can safely begin and cover almost everything. The walk starts from the Shahi Hamam (Royal bath), which was once the bathing area for the females in the royal family. The place is beautifully conserved along with a picture wall that signifies the development in Lahore. One tingling feature of the walls of the Shahi Hamam is that if you whisper into one wall, and someone is standing at some other point in the same vicinity and puts his/her ear on the wall then (s)he can clearly hear what was said. Isn’t it marvelous when you combine science with architecture and that too in a place which was constructed in sixteen century???

After a five minutes walk, there comes mosque Wazir Khan made in the sixteen century by the then governor – the mosque is named after him. This mosque is an inspiration for architects, artists, fashion houses and what not. The red brick work combined with the colors used is an epitome of art. Students from National College of Arts and other art schools are brought here to intimate wall art. This place is most majestic and offers its grandeur when the Sun rays strike on each wall and announces the dawn.

All amateur photographers can be asked to come here and start their lesson 101 on photography from this place – which has a lot to offer. The center of the mosque caters to a huge veranda and a pond where fresh water is pumped. You can take as many pictures as you want and still the place will have a lot of distinct perspectives to offer.

Even the street view would make you wander and get lost in the old city…

A quick walk to the nearby streets makes one wonder how these people are living where the houses are adjoint and not two people can walk past each other given they are so narrow. I was once told that when there is death in the house, they usually shift the body over the top of the houses until it is sent downward using ropes to the spot which has some space for it to be lowered down onto.

A total walk of about forty minutes can make one cover Asif Jah ki Haveli, Food Street and numerous other small mosques which have some history associated with them. But the secret of this place lies in the dusk. One can easily walk the old Lahore for about two hours and then end the journey with a scrumptious breakfast of Halwa Puris and Lahori Channey served at every nook of the vicinity.

This side of Lahore is worth seeing and it has me as its ardent visitor ever since I explored it six years ago. Btw, this is a perfect time of the year to catch mosque Wazir Khan and I would suggest everyone to visit.

Until then, take care!

Images Source: Zeeshan Haider Photography (https://www.facebook.com/gocinematic/)