Kasur is a city to the south of Lahore, in the Pakistani province of Punjab. The city serves as the headquarters of the Kasur District. Kasur is the 24th largest city of Pakistan by population. It is also known for being the burial place of the 17th-century Sufi-poet Bulleh Shah. It is farther west of the border with neighbouring India and bordered to Lahore, Sheikhupura, and the Okara District of Punjab Province. The city is an aggregation of 26 fortified hamlets overlooking the alluvial valleys of the Beas and Sutlej rivers.

Kasur District is one of the districts in the province of Punjab, Pakistan bordering the disputed Ferozepur district west of the Radcliffe Line. It came into existence on 1st July 1976. Earlier it was part of Lahore District. The district capital is Kasur city, the birth city of the Sufi poet Bulleh Shah, well known in that region as well as in the whole of Pakistan. The total area of the district is 3,995 square kilometres.

Physical Features

The district is bounded by the Ravi River in the northwest and river Sutlej in the southeast. Whereas the old course of Beas River bifurcates the district into two equal parts locally known as Hither and Uthar or Mithan Majh. Both of the areas have a height differential of approximately 5.5 meters. The natural surface elevation of the district is 198 meters above sea level, having a general slope from northeast to south-west. Whereas the east and west ends of the district comprise the flood plains of the rivers Satluj and Ravi, characterized by breaching of looping river Channels braided around meander bars.

Topography

Topographically speaking, Kasur District lies between the river Satluj which flows along its boundaries with India and river Ravi which flows its boundary with Sheikhupura District. The districts may be divided into two parts, a low lying or riverine area along the two bordering rivers and upland, away from the rivers. The riverine area is generally inundated during the monsoon season. The water level in this area is higher than in the upland. The soil is sandy. The upland is flat plains sloping from north-west to south-west. The general height of the area is from 150 to 200 meters above sea level.

Flora

Flora of the district has been greatly modified by the human agency of the old open forests of small trees and shrubs; there remains only a few Rakhs or portions of forest which are kept as gazing ground for cattle etc. Amongst trees the most important are Kikar (Acacia arbica), Shisham or Tahli (Dalbergia sissoo), Beri (Zizyphus jajaba), Toot (Morus marlaccae), Sharin (Albizzia lebbek, Dharek (Malia azerdaracb), Phulahi (Acacia modesta), and Nim (Melia indica), Piple (Ficus indica) are planted for shade.The growth in Rakhs is composed mainly of three kinds of trees Jand (Prosopis spicigera), Karril (Capparis aphylla), and van or Jal (Salvadora obeoides). Occasionally pelu (acacia Loucophhloea) and Farash (Tamarix articulate) are also found. Pilchi (Tamarix gallio) is found on moist sandy soil along the rivers and is used for wicker-work, basket making etc.

Fauna

Wolf and jackal are the only wild animals of any importance. The former being met with occasionally in the low land wastes of Chunian Tehsil but jackal are found everywhere. Changa Manga reserve a thick forest is the only area in which a few Nelgai, pig, peafowl and here are found.

Climate

Kasur has a semi-arid climate. Kasur has extremes of climate; the summer season begins from April and continues till September. June is the hottest month. The mean maximum and minimum temperature for this month are about 45 °C (113.0 °F) and 27 °C (80.6 °F) respectively. The winter seasons lasts from November to February. January is the coldest month. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures for the coldest month are 22 °C (71.6 °F) and 0 °C (32.0 °F) respectively. Rainfall towards the end of June monsoon conditions appear and during the following two and a half months the rainy season alternates with sultry weather. The winter rain falls during January, February and March ranging from 23 millimetres (0.91 in) to 31 millimetres (1.2 in). Waterlogging and salinity has affected a large area of the district making the underground water brackish.

Religion

The population in Kasur is predominantly Muslim with some small Christian and Hindu minorities. In a census conducted by the Office of the Census Commissioner in 1951, the result was that 96% of the population of Kasur was Muslim with 0.004 being Hindu minorities and 0.034 being Christian minorities.

Must Visit Places in Kasur

Kasur is a small place in Pakistan and can be easily explored within a day. There aren’t many things to do and attractions to visit in this town. Also, being a small town, there are fewer accommodation options. People usually consider making a quick stop here before heading to the neighbouring cities. You can halt here for a quick snack and take a little break from your journey.

Shrine of Baba Bulley Shah Tomb

Mr. Charles Fradilt mentioned his birth date and death as 1680 and 1775, respectively, in his book Baba Bulley Shah. Baba Bulley Shah belonged to a Syed family and he is famous for his remarkable poetry. The shrine of Baba Bulley Shah is located in the center of Kasur. Annually the Urs ceremony of Bulley Shah was held in the last week of august (in the season of Sawan Bhadon).

Ganda Singh Border

It is situated near a border named Ganda Singh Wala Border. This border had served the primary crossing purpose till 1986 but is closed now. It holds the Joint Check Post (JCP) constructed in 1959 to hold a joint flag’s hoisting ceremony. It is located approximately at a distance of 18 km from Kasur. The flag-lowering ceremony takes place here as well and is also worth attending.

Tomb of Shah Kamal Chishti

This shrine is located near the Kasur Museum. It stands on top of an embankment, hence the legend that a great flood destroyed the city once leaving behind only the shrine of Hazrat Kamal Chisti. People from all over the country visit his shrine in hundreds, daily. And at the occasion of Urs, devoted followers from all over the world flood in to pay reverence to this prodigious saint. Throughout the program people are entertained with Qawali, Chadar poshi is held to decorate his tomb with dhamal. Among the most popular of Qawali “Ali dum dum” is known to everyone. People from different areas set up stalls to provide the visitors with food and they distribute milk amongst the poor.

Balloki Headworks

Balloki Headworks started in 1911. It is known as a triple canal project that aims to take the upper Chenab Canal water to the headworks. As the River Ravi remains insufficient for water purposes, so Pakistan Government started to work on Balloki headworks to feed the Lower Bari Doab Canal for the smooth irrigation of district Bahawalnagar. Balloki headworks is situated on the south-western side of Lahore on River Ravi, at a distance of 65 Km. It also fascinates the tourist with a fantastic picnic point.

Changa Manga

Changa Manga is named after two brothers. Changa Manga is the largest planted forest that also preserves wildlife. It is interesting to note that British foresters finished in 1866. The wild project’s fundamental motivation was to give fuel resources, haulage of firewood, and timber. It covers 12000 Acres area, including a park of timberland and a lake. The forest park was constructed in 1961-62 and was reduced with many development schemes to meet the growing needs. Now this park is on 134 acres. The facilities in the park include a cafeteria, hanging bridges, log huts, a rest house, a swimming pool and boating.

Gurudwara Hardusahari, Sahari Distt Kasur

In district Kasur, there are two villages named Sahari or Hardusahari – Hardu is a Persian word that means two- having the Gurdwara Sahari Pir in the town’s outskirts and its Samadhi. There is a pool of stagnating water as well. The beautiful building is standing in a spacious area where an annual fair (Urs) is held. Muslim Fakir looks after the shrine of Pir Sahari Chinna Jatt.

Kasur Museum

Flooded with the deep-rooted cultural essence, unique festivals, and cherished traditions, Kasur museum is standing on the Firozpur Road, embracing history. This museum exhibits galleries, categorized into five segments. The impressive galleries include the collection of chronological coins, which is a treat for coin collectors. An archaeological gallery to provide the visitors a walk of rare fossils of all ages. Besides this, there is a collection that portrays ceramic, sculptures, and utensils. It reserves the statues of the famous Buddha’s statue as well. An Islamic gallery brimming with valuable treasure has been oriented to provide Muslims with rich Islamic scripts and publications. Later comes the craft gallery. Lastly, here is a Pakistan Movement gallery that exhibits Muslim leaders’ efforts and portrays the history of independence.

Other interesting spots include:

• Kot Radha Kishen Railway Station -Located in Kot Radha Kishen District of Kasur and is famous for being related to Indian Lord Kishen and his beloved one (Radha)
• Chunian– this is the point of the largest sugar mill in Pakistan
• Pattoki – the vast industrialist area
• The Tomb of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Bukhari (famous as Baba Sha Jhanda) – located in a village near Pattoki.