PWD Visit Takht-i-Bahi’s Ancient Buddhist Heritage Site
PESHAWAR, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 23rd Aug, 2026) Under the special arrangements of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority, a group of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) from various districts of the province paid a visit to the ancient archaeological site of Takht-i-Bahi here on Sunday.
The tour was organized on the special instructions of Director General Culture and Tourism Authority, Shahid Khan Mohmand.
The delegation was led by renowned actor Zardad Bulbul, who guided the group through one of Pakistan’s most treasured historical landmarks.
The visitors carefully observed the rich heritage of the ancient Buddhist civilization that once thrived in the region.
During the tour of the historic ruins of Takht-i-Bahi, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, the group received a detailed and informative briefing from Muazullah of the Archaeology Department.
He explained that the ruins represented a remarkable monument from the flourishing period of Buddhist civilization, dating back to the first century BCE. The site featured small and large Buddhist monasteries, temples, and underground chambers, with structures spanning from the first to the fifth century CE.
Experts had uncovered evidence showing that when the Gandhara civilization was at its peak, Takht-i-Bahi served as a major centre of Buddhist learning and remained a hub of the faith for approximately five to six hundred years.
The briefing highlighted that the provincial government was determined to develop the region as a hub of religious tourism, given that archaeological remains of various religions continued to exist across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Takht-i-Bahi has already been recognised as a World Heritage Site of outstanding universal value.
According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Archaeology Department, the province was home to several ancient Buddhist religious sites as well as numerous remains of the Gandhara civilization.
Among these, the centres at Takht-i-Bahi, Sari Bahlol, and Jamal Garhi in the Mardan district held particular historical significance.
With the collaboration of UNESCO, the government has not only preserved these sites but continued to ensure their careful maintenance and protection for future generations.
The archaeological remains of Takht-i-Bahi ranked among the oldest and best-preserved Buddhist ruins in the region.
Every year they attracted large numbers of domestic and international tourists who came to experience the profound spiritual and historical atmosphere of the site.
Renowned actor Zardad Bulbul and the other special visitors expressed deep satisfaction over the global importance of this historic heritage and the ongoing conservation efforts. They specially thanked Director General Shahid Khan Mohmand for arranging the visit and making the experience accessible and memorable.
Addressing the people of Pakistan, the visitors urged them to appreciate and preserve the country’s rich historical and cultural legacy.
