SAIFUL MALOOK:
With monsoon clouds rolling across the northern skies of Pakistan, the fabled Saiful Malook lake has transformed into a breathtaking haven, captivating visitors with its blend of natural grandeur and mythological charm.
Tucked beneath the mighty Malka Parbat in the upper Kaghan Valley, the famous lake has become a magnet for tourists and ecotourism lovers arrived from across Pakistan.
The seasonal monsoon rains ranging from gentle drizzles to sudden downpours have given the landscape a surreal beauty to tourists as black clouds hovering over their surrounding amid thrill and excitement.
Mist rises from the surrounding pine forests, and the interplay of sunlight and clouds with chirping birds casts magical reflections across the lake’s crystal-clear, blue-green waters.
The recent spell of monsoon rain has not only revived the verdant surroundings in Kaghan but also sparked a notable influx of travellers and adventure sports enthusiasts.
The lake is spanning on 1.06 square miles with a depth of 113 feet and sitting at an elevation of 3,224 meters above sea level leave an indelible mark on the hearts of thousands of tourists.
Among them is 25-year-old Waris Khattak from Karak, who sought refuge from the scorching southern heat. “The oppressive weather back home pushed me to visit this beautiful lake,” said Waris, who was enjoying a plate of freshly grilled trout with his family along the lake’s shore.
“The peace, the cool breeze, and this amazing water-it feels like another world.” Children ran carefree along the banks, dipping their hands into the cold water, while couples posed for pictures amid cascading waterfalls that flow from the snow-capped Malka Parbat, feeding the lake and enhancing its serene, oval-shaped beauty.
Locals and tour operators alike say this season has brought one of the highest turnouts in recent years, driven by improved road access and social media buzz.
But beyond its natural allure, Saiful Malook is steeped in folklore. According to legend, the lake was named after a Persian prince, Saiful Malook, who is said to have fallen in love with a fairy princess, Badri Jamala. Historians recount how the prince was drawn back time and again to this enchanted place, chasing visions of his ethereal beloved.
Today, the myth lives on not just in local storytelling but in the very ambiance of the lake, which feels touched by the otherworldly. The lake is immortalised in Sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh’s epic, “Fairytale of Saiful Malook,” which recounts the prince Saiful Malook quest for the fairy princess Badriul Jamala, a journey marked by enchanting stories and unfulfilled longing.
Pakistan boasts numerous stunning lakes like Ansoo, Lalusar, Dudipastar, and Sheosar, Saiful Malook stands out for its unique blend of fairytales, striking beauty, and pristine waters.
