Mangla, HUB of Entertainment, Golf- 360 Views, Dam and Fort скачать в хорошем качестве

Mangla, HUB of Entertainment, Golf- 360 Views, Dam and Fort

1. Overview of Mangla Town • Mangla (منگلا) is a town in the Mirpur District of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan.  • It lies near the bank of the Jhelum River, and much of the town is surrounded on three sides by a semi-curving reservoir created by the Mangla Dam.  • The name “Mangla” traces back to Mangal Devi.  • There is a cantonment (Mangla Cantonment) nearby, under Pakistan Army administration.  ⸻ 2. How to Get There: Routes from Lahore and Islamabad From Islamabad: • Mangla is about 110 km from Islamabad.  • One common route: take the GT (Grand Trunk) Road / national highways toward Jhelum, then branch off toward Dina and then to Mangla Dam.  • According to travel guides, after about 101 km on GT Road, you turn left from Dina for the remaining ~14 km.  From Lahore: • While less frequently written about in tourism guides, you’d generally take motorway/highway from Lahore toward Jhelum or Gujrat, then follow local roads toward the Mangla Dam area. • (Note: because Mangla sits near the border of Azad Kashmir and Punjab, and given the road infrastructure, travel time may be several hours depending on traffic.) ⸻ 3. Mangla Dam • Mangla Dam is a major multipurpose dam on the Jhelum River.  • Construction started in 1961 and was completed in 1967.  • It’s quite large: dam length ~ 3,140 m, height ~ 147 m.  • The reservoir (“Mangla Lake”) is used for hydroelectric power (Mangla Power Station), flood control, and irrigation.  • It’s also a recreational spot, with boating, fishing, jet-skiing, para-sailing, etc.  ⸻ 4. Mangla Fort • Mangla Fort (also called Mangla Devi Fort) is on a hill overlooking the Jhelum River.  • Historically very old; parts date to before the Common Era, though later rebuilt / reinforced.  • During construction of the dam, a large portion of the fort got submerged.  • Only about 5–6 acres of the fort remains above water.  • Access: Unfortunately, it is under the control of the Pakistan Army and is not generally open to the public.  • There have been calls to preserve and open it up as a heritage site.  ⸻ 5. Golf Club • Mangla has an 18-hole golf course: the Mangla View Golf Resort / Mangla Golf Club.  • Details: 7060 yards; par 72; slope rating ~123.  • Amenities include a clubhouse, driving range, putting green, pro shop.  • The golf course is part of the Mangla View Resort development, which is managed jointly by Mangla Tourist Resorts and the Army Water Sports Association.  ⸻ 6. Parks and Recreation • Mangla Water Resort: Right by the dam/reservoir, the resort offers boating, fishing, jet-skiing, para-sailing, and other water-sports.  • Mangla View Park (or viewpoint): According to the Kashmir Welfare Foundation, there’s a park in the Mangla View area offering landscaped gardens, horse riding, mini-golf, and boating.  • Jari Khas Park: Mentioned as a scenic recreational area near Mangla Dam / Mirpur.  • Poonch River Mahaseer National Park: While not in the town itself, this aquatic national park spans parts of Mirpur district and includes riverine habitats connected to the Mangla reservoir area.  ⸻ 7. Other Notable Nearby Sites • Ramkot Fort: Another historic fort in the Mirpur area, on a hill near Mangla Lake.  • Dhan Galli Bridge: A bridge across the Jhelum in the Mangla area, offering scenic views.  • Upper Jhelum Canal: The canal originates at Mangla Dam and is important for irrigation.  ⸻ 8. Significance & Tourism • Mangla is sometimes called the “Gateway to Kashmir” because of its strategic geography and the river boundary.  • It is a tourist destination: the dam reservoir, water sports, scenic hills, fort ruins, and the golf resort all make it attractive.  • According to the AJ&K Tourism Policy, Mangla’s proximity to both Islamabad and Lahore is seen as an advantage to bring in short-trip tourists.  ⸻