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Swat Valley
The Lush-green valley of
Swat, with its rushing torrents, icy-cold lakes, fruit-laden orchards and
flower-decked slopes is ideal for holiday-makers intent on relaxation. It has a
rich historical past, too.
This is "Udayana"
(the "Garden") of the ancient Hindu epics; "the land of
enthralling beauty" where Alexander of Macedonia fought and won some of his
major battles before crossing over to the plains of Pakistan. This is "the
valley of the hanging chains" described by the famous Chinese
pilgrim-chroniclers, Huain Tsang and Fa-Hian in the fifth and sixth centuries.
Swat was once the cradle of
Buddhism of all its schools- Little Vehicle, Great Vehicle and the Esoteric
sects where once 1,400 monasteries flourished. It was the home of the famous
Gandhara School of Sculpture which was an expression of Graeco-Roman form in the
local Buddhist tradition.
Swat was also the historical
land where the Muslim conquerors, Mahmud of Ghazni, Babur and Akbar fought their
battles preparatory to the conquest of the sub-continent.
The ruins of great Buddhist
stupas, monasteries and statues are found all over Swat.
The valley of Swat sprawls
over 10,360 sq. kms at an average elevation of 975 metres. The maximum
temperature in July is 38 C and minimum (during January) is 1 C. The normal
temperature is maximum 21 C and minimum 7 C. The tourist season is year- round.