The Cholistan Desert is located in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. It continues as the Thar Desert in India. The dry bed of the Hakra River runs through the area, along which many settlements of the Indus Valley Civilisation have been found.
Where: Cholistan Desert, Punjab, Central Pakistan チョリスタン砂漠、パンジャブ州 Best Season: October-Marchお勧めの時期;10月から3月 Best Sights: The grand sandstone Derawar Fort見所:砂漠、デラワル砦 Remember to Bring: Food, lots of water, a guide and turban to avoid the searing heat: 持ち物:食料、多量の飲料水、ガイド、焼けるような暑さから身をまもるターバン
The Cholistan, or Rohi, Desert in Punjab is the largest desert on the Indian continent. The desert is over 10,000 square miles. Located 20 miles from Bahawalpur, The Hakra River dried up here, and with it most life. The 2.5 million people who live here are nomads who lead a simple life herding and trading in camels. Their culture is strong with many romantic legends dating back to ancient times and they place great value in the power of song. The desert festivals are simply out of this world, you may see camels dancing (except those with two left humps) who are even better dressed in dazzling costumes than their owners. The people of Cholistan wear embroidered and print coloured shirts, skirts and robe coats. During the wet season, the nomads built shallow reservoirs to catch rainwater to survive long spells away from their villages.
Things to See and Do There are a number of forts along the old river bed dating back to 4000 BC. The Forts were built to guard the ancient trading routes. 川に沿って、紀元前4000年にさかのぼるたくさんの砦があります。砦は、大昔の交易路を守る為に築かれました。
Derawar Fort デラワル砦 Deep in the heart of the Cholistan Desert stands the lonely but awe-inspiring Derawar Fort. A massive fort with decoratively carved sandstone walls, which take your breath away, as they rise magnificently from the flat desert wasteland like something so grand its difficult to imagine. Built in 1733 by the Nawab (Royal family) of Bahawalpur, the fort can be seen for many miles with walls 90 ft high. It is extremely photogenic, but is best seen in the morning or evening before or after the deserts midday sun takes hold.
Shopping You can buy locally produced Cholistan crafts at the Craft Development Centre outside Farid Gate. Best buys including a Flassi (camel hair wall hanging or decorative carpet), a Gindi (cloth needlework covering used as spread or tablecloth), Khalti (multi-coloured embroidered purse)or a Changary (geometric plague made of palm leaves).
Trekkers Essentials ClothesMake a turban from a piece of cloth. Essential to cope with the searing heat of the desert. Place onions in the turban which apparently absorbs the heat to keep your head fresh - if you can cope with smelling more pungent than your camel.
Bring plenty of food and water. Oasis are rare in this desert. たくさんの水、食料を持っていって下さい。この砂漠では、オアシスは稀です。 Derawar fort in cholistan チョリスタン砂漠のデラワル砦
Derawar Fort: Derawar Fort is located 48 Km from Dera Nawab Sahib. It is still in a good condition. The rampart walls are intact and still guarded by the personal guards of the Amir of Bahawalpur. The tombs of the ex-rulers of Bahawalpur and their families are located in this fort. The tombs have nice glazed blue tile work. Prior permission of the senior Amir of Bahawalpur is required to enter the fort.
This area has one of the most important chain of forts. On the edge of the Choluistan desert stands the massive 8th century Derawar fort, the property of Nawab of Bahawalpur. The fort towers over the surrounding desert and is visible from miles. The walls of this fort are forty meters high and 1.5 kilometers in circumference. The important features of Cholistan are its sand dunes and its wild life.The desert boasts of Neilgai (Blue Bull), Chinkara deer, Hog deer, Black Buck, Fox Jackal, hares, wild cats, owls, Baz, Bashin, Tamtari, crows, parrots, and sand grousesThe inhabitants of this desert are nomads basically descendants of settlers of Baluchistan. The desert blooms after the sparse September rains.
cholistan market and Desert Nomads
Desert Nomads Desert nomads of Cholistan in Punjab come to the annual festival at Channan Pir. They bring with them produce from their herds and minerals from the desert. Similar relationships probably existed between ancient Indus urban centers and nomadic communities.
Shrines of Channan Pir - 30 miles from Derawar Fort. A festival is held annually at the start of March where devotees gather on the night of the full moon to honour the tomb of saint Channan Pir.