Sacred Rock of Hunza

Sacred Rock of Hunza
Location	Hunza Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Coordinates	74°4′N 36°3′E / 74.067°N 36.050°E / 74.067; 36.050
Area	Gilgit-Baltistan
Formed	1st Millennium AD
Restored by	Government of Pakistan
Owner	Commissioner of Northern Areas, Director of Archaeology, Government of Pakistan

The Sacred Rock of Hunza is carved rock as well as a cultural heritage site in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The carvings on the rock dates back to the 1st Millennium AD. The rock is on a top of a hill which lies in east to the Hunza River. The site is very near to the town of Karimabad. The rock is divided into two parts, once there used to be some Buddhist shelter caves which fell over time. The rock is one of the major tourist attractions in Gilgit-Baltistan.^[1]

Location

The sacred rock is located in place called Haldeikish near to the small town of Karimabad in Hunza Valley. The site is on top of a Hill which is at the left bank of the river Hunza.^[1] The rock is 30 feet high and 200 yards long. It is easily accessible from the Karakoram Highway which connects Pakistan with China. It is an isolated rock which is further divided into two portions.

Specifications

The Sacred Rock is divided into two portions, an upper portion and a lower one. Both the portions carry carvings on them which are basically inscriptions and images from Pre-Historic era. There used to be many Buddhist shelter caves in ancient times which leter collapsed or fell over the time.^[2]

Upper Portion

The upper portion of the rock consist of inscriptions which are carved in Sogdian, Kharoshthi, Brahmi, Sarada and Proto Sarada languages. The names of the Emperors of the Kushana Empire appear in these inscriptions as well as the names of other Emperors from the Empires of Kanishka and Huvishka. The name of the Trukha King Ramadusa is also mentioned in inscriptions which are carved in Brahmi language.^[1]

Lower Portion

The lower portion is engraved by the images of Ibexes. These ibexes are shown in different situations, including being hunted. The carvings also contain Horned-Human deities playing with the ibexes. The carvings of the Ibexes are a proof of the ibex being an animal which holds cultural importance to Buddhists as well as to the region in ancient times. One of the carvings also shows the image of an ancient Chinese King. Some carvings show a Tibetan styled Stupa.^[1]

Preservation

The Sacred Rock of Hunza is a Cultural Heritage Site of Pakistan and is currently well preserved but still some the carvings carrying inscriptions are effected due to aging. There were many Buddhist shelter caves which fell over time and no more exist. Commissioner of Northern Areas of Pakistan and Director of Archaeology are responsible for the preservation of the site, both acting under the Government of Pakistan. Due to recent flooding in Hunza River the site faces extreme danger in future.^[1]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sacred Rock of Hunza, Hunza-Nagar.

• List of forts in Pakistan
• List of museums in Pakistan

References

Baltistan Passes Karakoram Pass Gyong La Gondogoro Pass Bilafond La Valleys Skardu Valley Khaplu Valley Kharmang Shigar Valley Roundu Baltistan Galtari Cities and towns Skardu Kargil Shigar Khaplu Kharmang Roundu Baltistan Balghar Barah valley Chalunka Chorbat Valley Ghawari Haldi, Baltistan Hassanabad, Pakistan Hushe Valley Keris Valley Khane Kharfak Korphe Yugo, Baltistan Yugupa Rivers, glaciers and lakes Baltoro Glacier Biafo Glacier Siachen Glacier Bilafond Glacier Godwin-Austen Glacier Trango Glacier Lake Kharfak Satpara Lake Shangrila Lake Shigar River Shyok River Indus Hushe River Saltoro River Architecture Chaqchan Mosque Khaplu Palace Shigar Fort Skardu Fort Baltit Fort Amburik Mosque See also Karakoram Highway Ladakh Line of Control Kargil War Balti language History of Gilgit-Baltistan K2 Balti (food)