Tilla Jogian

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Tilla Jogian is the highest peak in the Eastern Salt Range in Punjab, Pakistan. At 975 meters (3200ft) above sea level, it is about 25 km to the west of Jhelum city and 10 km west of the model village of Khukha. The view from the top of Tilla is highly rewarding. Rohtas, Pakistan Fort is located in the east of Tilla Jogian at a distance of about 7 km from Dina, a rapidly expanding town on the GT Road.

Tilla Jogian can be seen from districts of Mandibhaudduin, Gujrat, Jhelum and Chakwal. It is situated on a commanding place near the Jhelum River. From its height of 3200 feet, you can see a panorama unparallel in Pakistan..

For thousand of years it was a place of sun worship for the Hindus because the Sun can be seen here earlier and sets here later due to its height. It became a place of worship for Hindus. Tilla Jogian in Punjabi means the hill of saints.

Tradition holds that Tilla Jogian was founded 100 B.C.Tilla Jogian also means Hill of the Yogis and lies about 50 kilometers North of Bhera. This is where the Kanpatha Jogis, who pierced their earlobes, founded by Guru Gorakhnath have left behind a monastery.

Tilla Jogian also finds mention in the epic love poem Heer Ranjha of Waris Shah, and Ranjha spent his time on the rebound, sublimating his love & passion in the spiritual world, came here for consolation and got his ears ringed here as was the tradition of Guru Goraknath's followers.

For the Hindu and Sikh Punjabi there is also another significance to Tilla Jogian as Guru Nanak Dev ji spent 40 days in quiet seclusion of Tilla Jogian, Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikhism. The Sikhs in Ranjit Singh period made a stone pond here in his memory.

Moghul Emperor Jehangir visited this place many times. Ranjha, the famous iconoclast of Punjabi folklore Heer Ranjha. The British made a road and a pond here too for water. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited here and did some protective work for the safety of its pristine beauty.

Tilla Jogian comprises of a complex of hindu temples housing at least three baths and a network of waterworks with at least two minor dams. There are two ways to reach at the top: One from Rohtas Fort side and the other from Sanghoi / the Jhelum River side.

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