Margalla Hills
| Margalla Hills | |
|---|---|
Margalla Hills
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Tilla Charouni |
| Elevation | 1,604 m (5,262 ft) |
| Coordinates | 33°47′53″N 73°7′00″E / 33.79806°N 73.11667°E |
| Geography | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Range coordinates | 33°44′40″N 73°2′30″E / 33.74444°N 73.04167°ECoordinates: 33°44′40″N 73°2′30″E / 33.74444°N 73.04167°E |
The Margalla Hills is a hill range part of the foothills Himalayas located within the Margalla Hills National Park, north of Islamabad, Pakistan. Margalla Range has an area of 12,605 hectares. The hills are a part of Murree hills. It is a range with many valleys as well as high mountains. It is part of the Margalla Hills National Park.
The hill range nestles between an elevation of 685 meters at the western end and 1,604 meters on its east with average height of 1000 meters. Its highest peak is Tilla Charouni. The range gets snowfall in winters. On 6 January 2012, after almost six years, Pir Sohawa, the city’s highest tourist spot, received few inches of snowfall. Another measurable snow event occurred on 11 February 2016 where 2 inches fell after four years.
Two different legends describe the origin of the word 'Margalla'. According to the first legend, these hills have always been known as an abode of snakes. Mar means 'snake' in Pashto and Persian galla means 'herd', therefore Margalla means a place with a lot of snakes.
According to the second legend, the word 'Margalla' was derived from Mar Galla, meaning 'to strangulate'.Mar means 'hit' and Galla means 'neck'. It is believed that there were lots of bandits and robbers who used these hills as a sanctuary and would strangle travelers in order to rob them.. It has also been suggested that the name derived from Mārĩkalā, the Persian equivalent of Takshaśilã (Taxila).
Khayaban-e- Iqbal, arises on the north east side from the 4th Avenue (Nur Pur Shahan), runs between E and F sectors and ends at Service road West of F 11 and E 11 (Golra) sectors in the south east. It will be extended up to Grand Trunk (GT) road in the near future and then it will be able to connect Nur Pur Shahan with the GT road.
Pir Sohawa road starts from Khayaban-e-Iqbal, near the zoo and traverses across the Margalla hills and connects with Jabbri road.
Margalla road starts from setor D 12 and runs across the Margallas to connect with Jabbri road near Khanpur.
Grand Trunk road (GT road) passes through Margallas through Tarnol pass near Nicholson's obelisk.
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Wikipedia