Tilla Jogian

Tilla Jogian is the highest peak in the Eastern Salt Range in Punjab, Pakistan. At 975 meters (3200ft) above sea level, it is about 25 km to the west of Jhelum city and 10 km west of the model village of Khukha. The view from the top of Tilla is highly rewarding. Rohtas, Pakistan Fort is located to the east of Tilla Jogian at a distance of about 7 km from Dina, a rapidly expanding town on the Grand Trunk Road.

Tilla Jogian can be seen from districts of Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Jhelum and Chakwal. It is situated on a commanding place near the Jhelum River. From its height of 3200 feet, you can see a panorama unparalleled in Pakistan..

For thousand of years it was a place of sun worship for the Hindus because the Sun can be seen here earlier and sets here later due to its height. It became a place of worship for Hindus. Tilla Jogian in Punjabi means the "Hill of Saints".

Tradition holds that Tilla Jogian was founded 100 B.C. Tilla Jogian literally means "Hill of the Yogis" and lies about 50 kilometres North of Bhera. This is where the "Kanphata Jogis", who pierced their earlobes and were an order founded by Guru Gorakhnath have left behind a monastery.

Tilla Jogian also finds mention in the epic love poem Heer Ranjha of Waris Shah. Ranjha, the story's protagonist, who when spending his time on the rebound, sublimating his love & passion in the spiritual world, came here for consolation and got his ears ringed here as was the tradition of Guru Goraknath's followers.

For the Hindu and Sikh Punjabis there is also another significance to Tilla Jogian as Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder of Sikhism is said to have spent 40 days in quiet seclusion at Tilla Jogian. The Sikhs during the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh made a stone pond here in his memory.

The Mughal Emperor Jahangir visited this place many times. The British made a road and a pond here for water. Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif visited Tilla Jogian and did some protective work for the safety of its pristine beauty.

Tilla Jogian comprises a complex of Hindu temples housing at least three baths and a network of waterworks with at least two minor dams. There are two ways to reach at the top: One from Rohtas Fort side and the other from Sanghoi / the Jhelum River side.

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