Nature has its own way of touching the spiritual dimension in all of us. Stand at a lookout point in a mountain range, and you are touched by the majestic splendor of the scene. Or stand at an oceanside, and you are overwhelmed by the powerful roar of the waves. It is the point where one says "At no other time have I so sharp an understanding of what God wants to do with me as in those hours."

Nature introduces us to a presence that is beyond ourselves. When I first looked into a microscope and watched the process of cell division, I knew I was in the presence of God. There are some of lessons nature teaches us. One is the lesson of humility and, with it, a recognition that we are dependent on a Power beyond ourselves.

An afternoon at Karimabad, with the signs of visitation from God. A unique blend of colors, light and atmosphere that can keep your mouth wide open and your mind lost in all those thoughts when you thought this all happens by them self. Nature sure get us connected to our source.

Taken: Afternoon in Karimabad, Central Hunza, Northern Areas of Pakistan

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Its been some days since I sit back and relax and put some new question into my already overloaded mind…

Are we living in Paradise, and we don’t even know it. Are the ripe, juicy fruits of joy and fulfillment are ours for the picking, while we continue to dig for sour berries?

Are we walking down streets littered with sparkling diamonds, and not even bothering to look at them, much less pick them up? Do we pass by golden opportunities everyday, during the few moments we spend outside the secure, comfortable prison cell that we have built for our life? Are the boundaries which separate us from the true fulfillment, of our own making?

In each moment there are gems, waiting to be mined. In each friendship there is a joy, waiting to be felt. In each problem there is wealth, waiting to be created. Open your eyes. Open your heart. Look around , really look, and see the beautiful would where we could be living, if only we would.

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Taken: Above Meadows of Paya, overlooking Kaghan Valley, Pakistan

There are places in this world where human emotions turn toward a new dimensions. The experience of the lifetime comes when you are stuck into that grand place and have nowhere to go but up and your hands are on the ground to support your ascend up to the place you think would be a nice view point… Welcome to the story of us being lost in Houn pass.

Behind Baltit Fort there is a heavenly place which is isolated from outer world in so many ways… Many treks ends into the wall of ice or rock. The irrigation system of the Hunza valley is revealed to one’s eye when one visit this place. The feeling of being small and grandness of Karakorum come face to face… and The rivers of ice right in front of your eyes make you realize the power nature holds.

Weather change behind the Houn pass is noticeable. There is a huge difference in humidity and temperature in Karimabad and this wonderful place…. A journey you would never forget for sure…. is the journey around Houn Pass, Karimabad, Central Hunza, Northern Areas of Pakistan.

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Standing at the roof of a beautiful fort, with endless vista before the eyes, there was no way I can get all which has been presented by nature. I did not know how to take panorama, I just captured so many pictures and after two years when I watched all those frames, which were all different exposures and camera settings, I thought what if these captures can be stitched into a panorama.

Presenting before eyes it the stitch of I dont know how many frames… I regret that I did not take the frames of the valley below.. I am sharing with you a view from the Roof of the World. This is what one can see from the Roof of Baltit Fort and glance with his eyes from right to left. Rakaposi and all other high peaks are lost in the clouds at right and the most left is that famous spot of Eagle’s Nest.

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Taken: Panorama of Central Hunza/Nagar from Baltit Fort, Karimabad, Northern Areas of Pakistan.

Pakistani Wedding would have the range of festivities & customs linked to it. To many it remains a mystery. Wedding or so called Shadi has roots deep into people’s daily life. Most parents seem to be plotting their child’s wedding the moment it is conceived.

The planning starts with Mangni, or engagement. which has a story of its own. Family is of the utmost importance here – it is generally assumed that if the family is good then the son or daughter is good too.. Then comes, Mayoun, which kicks off the shadi process. The mayoun generally disolves into a dolki, which is a generic term for singing popular songs of all kinds. The girl, now officially the dulhan, or bride, wears a simple yellow outfit. Then comes those dance practices leading up to the Mehndi, which prove to be the funnest times of the whole process. After the entertainment there is a feast. As is the case with almost all major Pakistani gatherings, the success of the party is almost always linked to the quality of the food, so particular attention is paid to this part of the evening.

Next comes that Sehra Bandi, when the groom is center of attention, relatives are all dressed up in vibrant colors, bestowing shiny gifts, normally Gold & Silver along with the money. The process Barat lead to the Nikkah, which is a legal bond between two souls. The marriage is declared by Relegious Priest and everyone starts to hug and say Mubarak. The dulhan (Bride) is brought to the stage and stands with her man before being seated.

Next day the the family of Groom throws a huge party, inviting everyone they ever knew to the feast. This ends the process of Shadi but the not to the customs that would continue for the lifetime of this couple.

There are so many times when bride or groom just sit and people then began taking pictures of them in every possible configuration of family member you can imagine. I am sharing here one of those moments, when one of my cousin is going through Sehra Bandi, and his sister is presenting him with a ring.

Yesterday I was just sitting before the television after a long while, browsing different channels, most of the channels were off-course were telecasting News. News, of power shortage and load-shedding to overcome the problems. This made me think what have we done in recent years to generate all that energy to power our homes and Industry. And I was unable to find the answer.

Then I searched when were two of the biggest Hydro Power Projects were created and the information I came out with was shocking to me. The Terbela Dam was constructed in 1968 & Mangla in 1961. So its been almost 40 years since we have thought of getting things done for ourself.

Presently the condition is worsening and hundreds of factories have been forced to close down, and protesters take to the streets almost daily to raise their voices against the situation, but to no avail. What amazed me more are those acts government is trying to impose over the citizens to lower the usage of electricity.

Then I goggled on how to manage electricity crisis in Pakistan…. And to my further amusement it as nothing else to say but "Pakistan to seek US help to manage…"

When will we learn how to do things, when will we see the abundance of resources around us through which we can generate enough energy to power our brains and to turn the wheel of our factories. Do not we have anything with us to manage it by ourself. The question still remains in my head, "How Can We Manage it?".

Taken: boating Club, Mangla View Resorts, Mangla, Azad Kashmir.

There are times when a sense of remoteness or a disconnection wells up within, even when one is spending time surrounded by interesting and engaging people. If one give himself what is desired by mind, body and spirit. There is no match to that wonderful gift. It help you discover that being alone creates a sense of tranquility.

I remember one place that gives you the total bliss of mind with such wonderful views and voices of birds that it amaze one’s mind the purity God has given us….

Welcome to the Meadows of Manna. The remote and out of world experience with the Jeep Safari and sometimes a hike because of Landslides would bring you to an oasis… And here you would only see what you have been dreaming. A place of perfect harmony and Peace…

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Taken: Path to Manna Meadows, Kaghan Valley, Pakistan

Between the Central Asian desert and the plains of Pakistan is a geographical vortex that is rich with history, natural beauty and cultural diversity. In this ‘collision zone’ of the Indian and Asian continents, the Pamir, Kunlun, Hindukush, Karakoram and Great Himalaya ranges are knotted together and China, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India all come within 250km of each other.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Pakistan and China jointly cut a road across these mountains, following a branch of the ancient network of trade routes called the Silk Road. In 1986 their mutual border was opened to travelers, completing an Asian ‘high road’ loop taking in Pakistan, China, Tibet, Nepal and north India.

The Karakoram Highway (KKH) connects the Silk Road oasis of Kashgar with Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, via the 4730m Khunjerab Pass, the semi-mythical Hunza Valley and the trading post of Gilgit.

Within reach of the KKH is some of the most mind-bending mountain scenery anywhere and, in the Karakoram, the highest concentration of lofty peaks and long glaciers in the world, some virtually at the edge of the road."

The beauty of this mountain paradise is matchless; from the soft blossoms of the apricot trees to the dark snowcapped rock monuments of Rakaposhi (7788 m.) and recently climbed Ultar (7388 m.) jabbing a vivid blue backdrop high above.

Taken: Karimabad, Central Hunza, Northern Areas of Pakistan.

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As I step forward from the stairs and crossed a beautiful carved and colored gate, the deep sense of mystery surrounded me. I entered into the land of the Aficionados, with these words echoing in the back of my head.

"O Lord, nourish me not with love but with the desire for love."

It is strange that even after ten centuries this shrine is attracting million of people. Still busiest of the place in the city of Lahore; the Heart of Pakistan.

Sheikh Ali Hajweri or famously known as Hazrat Data Ganj Baksh or simply Data Sahib still shines like a star in the eyes of his aficionados. Those who have a strong believe in him; right or wrong, would do strange things when they would present their body and soul to the Sufi Saint. I saw people crying, some meditating, some praying, some thanking him for his blessings. Whatever those aficionados were doing, their eyes were wet and I am certain their hearts were pure; at least for the time-being.

Me too went through the same, what they were following, to know what it feels like to be an enthusiastic admirer or devotee. And it feels like a whole new world, where I have seen money in the batting tubs, so much that they were calling everyone around, just to count it…

Data Darbar sure is one place, which has so many dimensions. Here I am sharing only one with you.

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We seek many things in this world to bring us happiness and inner peace. We set goals and work hard to achieve them. But in doing so, we often neglect our inner needs–the desires of our spirit. We struggle with the push-pulls between inner and outer worlds. Quiet time alone renews us and helps restore our life balance. Solitude is not a luxury.

Quiet times alone bring us back in touch with who we really are. They relieve the stress that afflicts body and mind. Daily responsibilities create what seem like insurmountable obstacles to a peaceful solitude. But we pay an enormous price for ignoring our inner needs. Solitude is not a luxury to be enjoyed only during vacations. We cannot store up its benefits in some spiritual account for withdrawal during the rest of the year. What matters is that we resolve to set time aside each day to honor and nurture our inner selves.

From nature we learn that our creative work in the world requires time for inner growth and change. Seeds receptive to nutrients from earth, rain and sun become the lovely blossoms.

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Taken: Meadows of Paya, Kaghan Valley, Pakistan