Getting There
By Car: You can reach Abbottabad from Islamabad in 1 hour and 30 minutes by car. The distance from Abbottabad to Ilyasi Mosque is 5 km.
There are two main routes from Islamabad to Abbottabad. You can reach Abbottabad via Murree, then you can also reach Abbottabad via Hazara Expressway. In addition, traffic within the city limits is jammed during the day. However, the road to Abbottabad is considered to be one of the most beautiful roads in Pakistan.
By Air: Foreign or domestic travelers visiting tourist destinations in Abbottabad will have to land at Islamabad Airport as from there you can travel to Abbottabad by bus, taxi or in your car.
By Train: If you want to go to Ilyasi Masjid by train from any part of the country, there is no train available to go to Ilyasi Masjid So you can get off at Rawalpindi Railway station or Peshawar station and go Ilyasi Masjid by car, bus and Jeep
What to Expect
Pakistan is full of places for tourist’s attractions. You might have seen most of the places but Here is newly discovered Umbrella Waterfall, also known as Poona Waterfall. It is located in Abbottabad District, 3 kilometers away from Sajikot.
The best way to visit this Waterfall is if you travel on Motorbikes. You will enjoy the beauty of the track, mountains, greenery, and much more. There are many places in Abbottabad that attract tourists, including liays Mosque, a famous mosque.
Umbrella Waterfall is Hidden and Un-explored mesmerizing artwork of nature is located in the village Poona, Tehsil Havelian, Distt Abbottabad KPK Pakistan. The waterfall is located 27 Kilometers from Havelian. Most of you know what this place is! For those who don’t know let me tell you this place is an umbrella waterfall in a village called Poona!
Umbrella Waterfall is such a beautiful showering waterfall wrapped in between the mountains. It was like an oyster in a pearl. The last but not the least famous tourist spot to visit in Abbottabad is ‘Thandiani.’ as impressive as its name, and the place has to offer a lot of activities to the tourists. The temperature here remains cold throughout the year.
History
The ivory white structure of Ilyasi Mosque appears numinous, set against the backdrop of Abbottabad’s lush green valley. It was built around 1927-1932 and stands over 1,250 meters above sea level. Abbottabad itself was founded in 1853, named after Major James Abbott, the first British deputy commissioner of the region. He confessed in his parting ode that he, “…adored the place from the first sight – and was happy that his coming here was right!
After the creation of Pakistan, the city retained its distinction as a military town. The Pakistan Army’s primary training academy is still situated in its Kakul area. To reach Ilyasi mosque, one must take a long winding road along the boundary of Kakul Academy. One goes from the ritzy city center, through some rustic bazars, to the small hamlet of Nawan Shehar.
The majestic mosque is sprawled over 5 canals, at the foot of a hill that gives a unique view of the city of Abbottabad. The mosque’s aesthetics incorporate Islamic, British, and Sikh architectural influences. Its most prominent feature is its tall minaret which is instantly recognizable. The adjoining dome and the narrow flight of stairs lead up to the water ponds, a vast, open courtyard.
There is a spacious prayer hall on the left, and a madrassa on the right. A row of smaller copulas on the roof balance the elevation on the front. Details of Qur’an verses and devotional Persian couplets of reverence to the Divine adorn the walls of the mosque.
Facilities Available
- It is safe for families.
- Local guides are available
- People of Abbottabad are very hospitable
- Bollan Hotel, Hotel Da Ville, Hotel Jeddah Tourist, Kamran Hotel,New Lalazar Guest House, Royal Emirates Residence, Usmania Guest House
- Ilyasi Masjid can be easily accessible thought local transport and can book a car on rent.
- Tourism Department helps the Tourist/ Visitors through providing broachers in both Urdu and English languages. The local Police and the local Guides can speak multi languages (i.e local languages, Urdu, English and some of them can speak Chinese also).
- There is a bus stand in Abbottabad for public transportation.
- Filling stations are available in which includes Petrol and Diesel.
- Taxis are available on daily rent basis.
- Shops are available in Ilyasi Masjid
