The Story of Thar

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The Story of Thar

A journey to the Thar desert in the Sindh province reveals hidden historical and cultural gems, waiting to be discovered. The desert’s harsh temperatures contrasts the soft, welcoming side of the Thar people. It is a fitting juxtaposition; yet Man and nature have supported each other through the years, amidst this contrast. -Text by Liyana Low, Photos by Syafiqah Omar and Liyana Low

A rickshaw pierces the desert landscape with its glaring colours and decorations. –Photo by Syafiqah Omar

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Sunflower fields along the way to Thar are used mainly to harvest the seeds to be made into sunflower oil. –Photo by Syafiqah Omar

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A Thari woman in her striking sari, arms filled to the shoulders with bangles, sitting in the shade of a building along the streets of Islamkot. –Photo by Syafiqah Omar

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An old lady with her granddaughter begging for money in the streets of Nangar Parkar. –Photo by Syafiqah Omar

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A Thari woman going back to her village with the water from the well. Women generally need walk long distances to collect water from wells in water-scarce Thar. While men go to the main towns for work, the women stay in the villages to take care of farming chores. –Photo by Liyana Low

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Children playing in their neighbourhood of thatched roof huts among the sand dunes in Mithi. –Photo by Syafiqah Omar

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A policeman taking a respite from the desert heat while following foreigners around during their visit to Thar. Security is tight in the area as it borders India. –Photo by Liyana Low

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Cows are commonly seen in the Hindu-majority towns of Thar. Thar’s Hindus and Muslims looked after each other during the time of the partition and continue to live peacefully with each other to this day. –Photo by Liyana Low

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The Gori temple, probably brought from Gujarat, dates back to 1376 AD and was built during the height of the Jain empire in the region. –Photo by Liyana Low

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An ancient, abandoned Jain temple lying in the middle of the Thar desert. No one knows how old the temple is as there are no official records in history. –Photo by Liyana Low