arror rock - bin qasim mosque - Kalka Devi Mandir
Sights/Landmarks/temple/mosque
The area is known by many names: Arror Rock, Mount Arror and Rohri Hills. There are many sites in this area, such as the Arror Rock, Bin Qasim mosque, and Kalka Devi Mandir.
Arror Rock
Arror Rock, also called Neh Takkar or Chattan Shah ji Takri, is located near Rohri in Sindh. The shape of rock was caused by unknown natural forces. Similar shaped rocks are usually formed by huge powerful waves near the sea. However, the structure in the middle of barren land at Arror is a wonder. There is also a Shrine on the top.
According to one of the legends, a Muslim warrior cut the rock into four pieces using it as a shield to win a battle for Kalka Devi, whose mandir is not far from this rock. At the foot of the Rock , lies a 10-foot-long grave. Locals believe that the grave belongs to the same warrior who cut the rock into four halves. Another legend believes that the grave is of a companion of Hazrat Ali, incidentally named Ali as well.
This mysterious rock can be a challenging climb for many. A small staircase takes you to the first level but then you have to crouch to climb further. After a while you can stand on your feet but the climb becomes steeper and you have to jump over the parts where rock is cut into the parts mysteriously. The view from the top is breathtaking, looking into the emptiness of Arror on one hand and green fields fueled by the water of Indus on the other side.
Bin Qasim Mosque
Near the Arror Rock, there are also ruins of Bin Qasim Masjid - first ever mosque built in the Indian subcontinent during the reign of Muhammad Bin Qasim around 1311. After appointing Governors in all the principal districts of Sindh, Muhammad Bin Qasim left Brahman Abad for Rohri. He called his forces to a halt opposite the fort, where he also built a Mosque.
The ruins show only traces of a few old, deep-blue tiles on one of the arches. The structure of the mosque still stands tall on top of a mound, which has a small space designated for praying and a space to perform ablution under the shade of palm trees.
Coordinates: 27°38'44"N 68°56'11"E
Kalka Devi Mandir
Kalka Devi’s Mandir is situated inside a mountain cave where the goddess is believed to have made an appearance during her Hinglaj yatra. It is located about one mile south from the capital city of Arror/Arore. In Shasthi language, Kalka means power. Legend goes that a devoutly religious woman, named Kalka, used to live in these caves and the hills were called Kalka hills during Roe Dynasty. The majority of Hindu devotees pay homage to Kalka Devi on the night of first Monday of every month.
Many rooms have been built around the original temple in the cave, some for praying and others for accommodating visitors who flock in thousands at the time of Hindu festivals. From one of the room is the entrance to the cave which is hardly five to six feet high. The smell and the smoke of agarbatis (incense), created a mystic aura around the area. The priest sits on a stone platform next to the idol of Kalka Devi with a dagger in one hand and a chopped head in the other. Further moving on enter the Samdhi. Sit and chat with the the priest over a cup of tea.
The temple is believed to have two tunnels that connect it to the temple in Hinglaj, Balochistan. The hills surrounding the area are now at the mercy of construction companies who crush the stones to make money. According to the caretaker of the temple, 60% of people who visit this temple are Muslims or belong to other religions, apart from Hinduism.
Coordinates: 27°37'34"N 68°55'52"E
Arror Rock
Arror Rock, also called Neh Takkar or Chattan Shah ji Takri, is located near Rohri in Sindh. The shape of rock was caused by unknown natural forces. Similar shaped rocks are usually formed by huge powerful waves near the sea. However, the structure in the middle of barren land at Arror is a wonder. There is also a Shrine on the top.
According to one of the legends, a Muslim warrior cut the rock into four pieces using it as a shield to win a battle for Kalka Devi, whose mandir is not far from this rock. At the foot of the Rock , lies a 10-foot-long grave. Locals believe that the grave belongs to the same warrior who cut the rock into four halves. Another legend believes that the grave is of a companion of Hazrat Ali, incidentally named Ali as well.
This mysterious rock can be a challenging climb for many. A small staircase takes you to the first level but then you have to crouch to climb further. After a while you can stand on your feet but the climb becomes steeper and you have to jump over the parts where rock is cut into the parts mysteriously. The view from the top is breathtaking, looking into the emptiness of Arror on one hand and green fields fueled by the water of Indus on the other side.
Bin Qasim Mosque
Near the Arror Rock, there are also ruins of Bin Qasim Masjid - first ever mosque built in the Indian subcontinent during the reign of Muhammad Bin Qasim around 1311. After appointing Governors in all the principal districts of Sindh, Muhammad Bin Qasim left Brahman Abad for Rohri. He called his forces to a halt opposite the fort, where he also built a Mosque.
The ruins show only traces of a few old, deep-blue tiles on one of the arches. The structure of the mosque still stands tall on top of a mound, which has a small space designated for praying and a space to perform ablution under the shade of palm trees.
Coordinates: 27°38'44"N 68°56'11"E
Kalka Devi Mandir
Kalka Devi’s Mandir is situated inside a mountain cave where the goddess is believed to have made an appearance during her Hinglaj yatra. It is located about one mile south from the capital city of Arror/Arore. In Shasthi language, Kalka means power. Legend goes that a devoutly religious woman, named Kalka, used to live in these caves and the hills were called Kalka hills during Roe Dynasty. The majority of Hindu devotees pay homage to Kalka Devi on the night of first Monday of every month.
Many rooms have been built around the original temple in the cave, some for praying and others for accommodating visitors who flock in thousands at the time of Hindu festivals. From one of the room is the entrance to the cave which is hardly five to six feet high. The smell and the smoke of agarbatis (incense), created a mystic aura around the area. The priest sits on a stone platform next to the idol of Kalka Devi with a dagger in one hand and a chopped head in the other. Further moving on enter the Samdhi. Sit and chat with the the priest over a cup of tea.
The temple is believed to have two tunnels that connect it to the temple in Hinglaj, Balochistan. The hills surrounding the area are now at the mercy of construction companies who crush the stones to make money. According to the caretaker of the temple, 60% of people who visit this temple are Muslims or belong to other religions, apart from Hinduism.
Coordinates: 27°37'34"N 68°55'52"E
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