Lake Saiful Muluk
Saiful muluk during June
Location Kaghan Valley
Coordinates 34.876957°N 73.694485°ECoordinates: 34.876957°N 73.694485°E
Lake type Alpine/Glacial lake
Primary inflows Glaciers water
Basin countries Pakistan
Surface area 2.75 km2 (1.06 sq mi)
Surface elevation 3,224 metres (10,577 ft)
Settlements Naran
Location of Lake Saiful Muluk within Pakistan
Saiful Muluk is a mountainous lake located at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley, near the town of Naran. It is in the north east of Mansehra District in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. At an elevation of 3,224 m (10,578 feet) above sea level, it is well above the tree line, and is one of the highest lakes in Pakistan.
Saiful Muluk Lake in winter
Saiful Muluk is located in the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, about eight kilometers north of Naran,in the Northern part of Kaghan valley. Malika Parbat, the highest peak in the Valley is Near The Lake.
The lake is accessible from the nearby town of Naran throughout the summer season.
Lake Saiful Muluk
Physical features
Saiful Muluk was formed by glacial moraines that blocked the water of the stream passing through the valley. The Kaghan Valley was formed in the greater Pleistocene Period dating back almost 300,000 years when the area was covered with ice. Rising temperatures and receding glaciers left a large depression where glaciers once stood. Melting water collected into the lake.
Ecology
The lake has rich eco diversity and holds many species of blue-green algae. Large brown trout are found in the lake, up to about seven kilograms.About 26 species of vascular plant exist in the area, with Asteraceae the most commonly found specie. Other species commonly found in the region are: Ranunculaceae, Compositae, Ranunculaceae, Cruciferae, Gramineae, Apiaceae, Leguminosae, Scrophulariaceae and Polygonaceae.
The Lake in Poetry/Story behind the Saifulmalook Cave
A fairy tale called Saiful Muluk, written by the Sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, talks of the lake. It tells the story of the prince of Persia who fell in love with a fairy princess at the lake. A poet and writer from Balakot, Ahmed Hussain Mujahid, wrote the story of Saiful Muluk in prose depicting the local version. There is also a cave (based on name of the giant) at Lake Saiful Muluk near Naran Bazar. Beautiful stones, pebbles and flowing water increase the outer beauty of the cave. There have been complains about mobile phones and torches not working inside the cave, but it is still a mystery why that is so. People usually come to see the cave because in past Prince Saif and fairy Badr were hiding in the cave when a giant was searching for them! Locals say that due to a miracle the giant turned into a statue while searching for the Prince and fairy to kill them!
Saiful muluk during June
Location Kaghan Valley
Coordinates 34.876957°N 73.694485°ECoordinates: 34.876957°N 73.694485°E
Lake type Alpine/Glacial lake
Primary inflows Glaciers water
Basin countries Pakistan
Surface area 2.75 km2 (1.06 sq mi)
Surface elevation 3,224 metres (10,577 ft)
Settlements Naran
Saiful Muluk is a mountainous lake located at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley, near the town of Naran. It is in the north east of Mansehra District in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. At an elevation of 3,224 m (10,578 feet) above sea level, it is well above the tree line, and is one of the highest lakes in Pakistan.
Saiful Muluk Lake in winter
Saiful Muluk is located in the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, about eight kilometers north of Naran,in the Northern part of Kaghan valley. Malika Parbat, the highest peak in the Valley is Near The Lake.
The lake is accessible from the nearby town of Naran throughout the summer season.
Lake Saiful Muluk
Physical features
Saiful Muluk was formed by glacial moraines that blocked the water of the stream passing through the valley. The Kaghan Valley was formed in the greater Pleistocene Period dating back almost 300,000 years when the area was covered with ice. Rising temperatures and receding glaciers left a large depression where glaciers once stood. Melting water collected into the lake.
Ecology
The lake has rich eco diversity and holds many species of blue-green algae. Large brown trout are found in the lake, up to about seven kilograms.About 26 species of vascular plant exist in the area, with Asteraceae the most commonly found specie. Other species commonly found in the region are: Ranunculaceae, Compositae, Ranunculaceae, Cruciferae, Gramineae, Apiaceae, Leguminosae, Scrophulariaceae and Polygonaceae.
The Lake in Poetry/Story behind the Saifulmalook Cave
A fairy tale called Saiful Muluk, written by the Sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, talks of the lake. It tells the story of the prince of Persia who fell in love with a fairy princess at the lake. A poet and writer from Balakot, Ahmed Hussain Mujahid, wrote the story of Saiful Muluk in prose depicting the local version. There is also a cave (based on name of the giant) at Lake Saiful Muluk near Naran Bazar. Beautiful stones, pebbles and flowing water increase the outer beauty of the cave. There have been complains about mobile phones and torches not working inside the cave, but it is still a mystery why that is so. People usually come to see the cave because in past Prince Saif and fairy Badr were hiding in the cave when a giant was searching for them! Locals say that due to a miracle the giant turned into a statue while searching for the Prince and fairy to kill them!
