u/EnvironmentalSyrup96

Sapphire here!! Not for sale just a video I picked from a friend.

He had these amazing sapphire I took a 2-3 pieces hahah, but amazing piece I must say. I love em more the Topaz or tourmaline.

Lapis craft's (commissioned) 😁

Got a Lapis commissioned to make

amulet

Sword

Curve sword

Square pendents/neck lace (don't know what word to use)

So how did I deliver 😁😁

u/EnvironmentalSyrup96 — 5 days ago

Historians categorize the Rawat/Mankiala site as one of the most vital Buddhist remains in Northern Pakistan

  • The Sacrifice Legend: According to the Jataka tales (stories of Buddha's past lives), this site marks the spot where Prince Sattva (a previous incarnation of Buddha) sacrificed his body to feed seven starving tiger cubs. This makes it a "Memorial of Compassion."
  • Architectural Design: The "Tope" was originally a massive sandstone dome. In 1830, Jean-Baptiste Ventura (a general in Ranjit Singh's army) excavated the core and discovered a deposit of gold and silver coins, along with a copper casket containing relics, dating strictly to the Kushan period.
  • The Strategic Transition: The site is a perfect example of stratigraphy where one layer of history is built over another. The Gakhars chose this specific spot for their fort because the ancient Stupa was built on a high artificial mound (the Tope), providing a natural military advantage to survey the surrounding plains.

The Stupa sits approximately 30km southeast of Islamabad/Rawalpindi. In ancient times, it was a crucial waypoint between Taxila (the centre of learning) and the Jhelum River. Travellers would see the "Tope" from miles away, signalling they were approaching one of the most sacred regions of the Gandhara civilisation.

u/EnvironmentalSyrup96 — 23 days ago
▲ 9 r/GreenLeafPak+1 crossposts

Today visited the Mankiala Stupa in Rawat, and honestly, why aren't more people talking about this? Been living in Pindi for more than 5 years and visiting Mirpur for 3 years even before. Never saw, never knew. No one even told me about it.

Standing at the base of this massive stone dome you really feel the weight of history. It’s not just a pile of rocks; it’s one of the most significant Buddhist sites in the world.

This stupa wasn't just built for aesthetics. According to the Jataka tales, this is the exact spot where Prince Sattva (an earlier incarnation of the Buddha) sacrificed himself to feed seven starving tiger cubs. It’s a heavy, beautiful bit of lore that gives the whole place a really peaceful energy. Well technically, they built a serene environment.

The Buddhists used stone beads made of Lapis Lazuli mostly for chakra.

Never mind, let's go back to the poooost!!!!

Who built it? There’s a bit of a debate:

Emperor Kanishka: Most historians date it to his reign (around 128–151 CE) during the Kushan Empire, another post for the Kushan Empire some other time.

Ashoka: Local tradition and some researchers believe it’s actually one of the 84 "relic stupas" built by Ashoka the Great much earlier to house the ashes of the Buddha himself.

Location:
It’s tucked away in the village of Tope Mankiala, about 30-40km from Islamabad/Rawalpindi T Chowk. If you go to the roof of the nearby Rawat Fort, you can see the stupa rising out of the landscape like a giant stone crown.

We have the ancient Gandhara-era stonework right next to the Mankiala Railway Station, where modern trains roar past. It’s this wild contrast between the 2nd century and the 21st.

Has anyone else been here recently? I heard there’s new restoration work happening here. Any one of have any updates?

https://preview.redd.it/1ucvycmccrug1.jpg?width=259&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b975ac3bd0f06125e1bee2a82d8bafd421753de1

https://preview.redd.it/e9xscemccrug1.jpg?width=290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=34eb50eb44301bed460bf5674b573de177ee3eb6

https://preview.redd.it/mvuebdmccrug1.jpg?width=257&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7835e61f2dafdc9ce72de33c64d625b2286a1392

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u/EnvironmentalSyrup96 — 1 month ago

I recently saw a video on the Katas Raj complex in the Potohar Plateau. While it's famous as a Hindu pilgrimage site, the architectural layers here are fascinating. You’ll find:

  1. The Satghara: A group of seven temples built in the ancient Kashmiri style, similar to Martand characterised by trefoil arches and fluted columns.
  2. Buddhist Influence: There are remains of a stupa from the Ashokan era, though mostly weathered now.
  3. Sikh Era: The Hari Singh Nalwa fort/haveli adds a much later 19th-century layer to the skyline.

It’s a rare spot where you can see the evolution of the region’s building styles in one frame. It’s a shame that some of the carvings have eroded over time, but the structural integrity of the main temples is still impressive.

A few documentries for study:

Vid 1

Vid 2

u/EnvironmentalSyrup96 — 1 month ago

Welcome to the digital home of the Potohar Plateau.

While the world often looks toward the high peaks of the North, forgetting that there are vast fields of ranges. We are turning our eyes toward the ancient, rugged, and deeply textured soul of the Salt Range and the Pothohar plains. This is a land of terracotta canyons, turquoise sacred pools, and thousand-year-old silent spires.

Why are we here?

This isn't just another travel gallery. Potohar EcoTourism was created to bridge the gap between adventure and preservation.

  • Eco-Conscious Exploration: We believe in "Leave No Trace." We share trails, campsites, and hidden gems with the understanding that we are guests of this ancient land.
  • Heritage Focus: From the heights of Tilla Jogian to the architectural marvels of Katas Raj, we document and celebrate the history carved into our sandstone.
  • Raw Beauty: We value the high contrast, high-detail reality of our geography, the burnt sienna soil, the hardy scrubland, and the dramatic Sohawa Canyons.

https://preview.redd.it/sjce70t6cksg1.png?width=2752&format=png&auto=webp&s=df9044f60333fae4bb106094c7754494612a725a

How you can contribute:

  1. Share your vistas: Post your high-res photography of the Plateau.
  2. Tell the history: Found an old well or a forgotten fort? Tell us the story.
  3. Guide the community: Share eco-friendly travel tips and gear reviews for rugged terrain.
  4. Trade & Connect: Look for our "Trade" flairs to exchange gear or local eco-services.

The sun is rising over the Salt Range. Let’s explore it the right way.

Respect the Land. Discover the Roots.

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u/EnvironmentalSyrup96 — 1 month ago