“A wonder of the World”

Khewra Salt Mine – “A wonder of the World”

Every summer, I always plan with my family to visit a tourist as well as historical places in the world. This summer we planned to visit a very remarkable place called “Kewera salt Mine”. I always wanted to visit Khewra mine and finally, the day arrived when I was there with my family. Some things and some places are worth waiting for. It was a bright sunny hot day in June. Kewera is 180km far from Islamabad. It can be accessed by two routes one from Islamabad Motorway (M1 via Kalar Kahar Interchange, which is a bit longer route, as here you have to cross Choa Seydan Shah and then reach the salt mine. It is a half-plane and half-hilly road. While another route is via Liyya Interchange. From Lilla Interchange, the Khewra salt mine is just 42 km distance. This is far shorter and better than the Kaler Kahar interchange.

The weather was a little bit hot but we were excited to visit the salt mine. So, we started our trip at 7:00 AM and reached the salt mine around 9:00 AM. When we reached there I realize that this is not a good place to visit because there is no tree or shade to park our vehicle or to relax. All around us, there are big mountains with no greenery. The weather was also hot as compared to our city.

The Khewra Salt Mines is located in Khewra, north of a small city called Pind Dadan Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. It is Pakistan's largest and oldest salt mine and the world's second-largest mine. It is also called the world’s largest edible pink salt mine. This salt range started near the Jhelum River and finish at the Indus River in Kala Bagh District Minawali.

We bought 3 tickets for around Rs. 700-  for entrance and train ride. The train took us into the mine. It is around a 1.5 KM / 1-mile long tunnel. The weather inside the tunnel was cold as compared to the outside. I feel very pleasant and my mind is changed about this place. After passing by a huge main tunnel inside the mine, we reached our destination where the guide took us first all to a beautiful Mosque that is situated inside the mine and made of salt. Different light bulbs have been placed inside the rocks made of salt thus giving a very bright and golden shine to the Salt Mosque. It’s really amazing and a work of appreciation.

Everything in the tunnel was made up of pink and white salt. The tour guide told us about the historical background of the mine. He told that, In 1849, Brits took charge and started working here on a scientific basis to get salt. In 1872, under the guidance of a famous British Mining Engineer named Dr. Warth. He further told that the Khewra salt mine is also been called the 'Natural Museum on the Earth'. There were a few rooms inside the mine which were supposed to be used as a post office during the British regime.

The Total length of the mine is 300 km, the width is from 8 to 30 km and the height is 2200ft to 4990ft. Khewra mine has 17 stories. Only the ground floor has been opened for tourists. According to scientific rules and regulations, 50% of the salt is taken from here for consumption while the rest of 50% of the salt is left over here so that it can work as a pillar to give support to the mine range.

In Khewra mine different kinds of souvenirs are available and are they all made of salt. There are many different designs of lamps that look unique in themselves. There is a very nice restaurant with desi food and some shops are located in the mine. We eat lunch and buy some decoration pieces. In the evening around 7:00 PM, we came back home.

At last, I must say that if anyone gets a chance then must visit this unique piece of art. The entire salt range is pink and desolate. The mine is famous for its production of Pink Khewra Salt, often marketed as Himalayan salt. Must take some water and food items with you because there are few restaurants and shops at the site.