Murree

Pakistan’s most popular hill station is Murree which lies 50 kilometers northeast of Pakistani capital Islamabad. It is mountainous area, forming part of outer Himalayas and it is located at a comfortable altitude of 7500 feet (2286 meters) in the Himalayan foothills at 33 54′ 30″ north latitude and 73 26 east longitude. This area contains four major supers that are gradually increasing. Murree city itself is situated at highest among them and it is 7500 feet high. Remaining include Patriata, Kuldana and Gharial. River Jehlum has bounded it by in the east, NWFP districts of Abbottabad and Heripur to theNorth and West, Islamabad Capital Territory to the Southwest and Kotli Sattian Tehsil (town) of Rawalpindi district to the South.

Brief History :

Murree was a town and it was built according to building frame of European cities with Church in the centre and main road, The Mall. Mall Road is running along with commercial places and administrative offices around the same. The Mall was and still is still the centre of attraction. Only Europeans were allowed access to the Mall and after 1947, Non-European got access to The Mall.

Origin of the Name:

There are different theories exist about the origin of Murree’s name. Marrhi is the local language in Murree. One theory says that Murree name has been derived from local Marrhi which means a ridge. There is another theory according to which it is derived from Turkish marg which means a meadow. It can be possible because there is considerable Turkish cultural influence in this area.

Climate:

            * Spring in Murree starts in March and ends in middle of May. Maximum temperature during this period hovers between twelve to twenty and minimum between four and ten. This season brings heavy rain and hail storms in this area. The fruit trees laden with flowers give a spectacular view.

            * Summer starts from middle of June and last till end of August.  The lowest temperature during this season is between 13 and 16 degree centigrade while highest temperature is between 20 and 25 degree centigrade. This is the best season in the area and that is most of the people visit this area during this season.

            * Autumn starts with the arrival of September and lasts till the starts of winter in early December. Temperatures remain mild in this season. Clear sky could be seen in the region during autumn when one can enjoy full view of mountains around without cloud hindrance.

            * Winter starts in December and normally brings heavy snowfall. Murree and its surrounding areas are covered with thick sheet of snow during most part of the season. Temperature mostly drifts around the freezing point.

Customs and Traditions :

As Murree is tourist attraction, the local tradition has changed a lot due to the outsiders coming in the city. The local community got a chance to interact with the outsiders, eventually sharing their culture with them as well.

As Murree is related to Hazara division, the local tradition is very much similar to theirs. The local tradition comprises of two main clans of Dhand, Chandia and Ratnia. Both the clans are descendants of two Rajput rulers. These rulers were descendants of Gahi, ruler of a tract around Delhi. These people refuse to eat with other Muhammadans. They do not even allow them to touch their cooking vessels. They retain Hindu customs at their weddings. Barat or procession, longing up to two to three days, is usually host by the father of Bride. They have also retained various other Hindu social observances as well. Polygamy is fairly common among these people and they rarely marry outside the tribe.

Buildings and Tourist Attractions :

There are various headquarters of 12th infantry division of Pakistan Army in Murree. Other than that there is large number of educational and training institutions of Pakistan Army. These institutions are located at Upper Topa, Kuldana and Barain. There is Combined Military Hospital (CMH) which is established for providing health facilities to the people of Murree and adjacent areas. Pakistan Air Force has its one of base in Lower Topa.

Military areas of Murree are divided into two cantonments for administrative purposes.
* Murree Cantonment
* Murree Hills Cantonment
Residence of Punjab Governor is also situated in Murree at the Kashmir Point. Its imposing building was built by British in 19th century.

Apart from these buildings, there are large numbers of institutions are also located in Murree which includes government, semi government and private departments and institutions maintain guest houses.

Galliat region is adjacent to Murree which is North West Frontier Province. This region includes Nathiagalli, Ayubia, Khanspur, Dunga Galli, Khairagalli and Changla Galli. Murree and Galiat have been part of same administrative unit including Rawalpindi District of Muzaffarabad before British rule. When British came to this region, they decided to divide them between Rawalpindi and Hazara in 1850.

However, Murree and Galliat are inseparable in terms of geographical locations, their cultural attributes and linguistically despite divided provincial boundaries. This side is equally acceptable from the point of view of the tourists. For hotels, hiking trails and important phone numbers and other information on Nathiagali and Galliat, Murree provides a gateway to the Galliat.

Chairlift is the most popular feature of Murree. It serves the visitors with exciting opportunities and provide them a life time experience of an elevated passenger rope way over the mountains in environment friendly way.