Noorani Shah, Baluchistan

Noorani Shah is a popular place for many Muslims and Hindus, who make pilgrimage there come what may, heat or winter.

It is a tomb of a Muslim Saint who is popularly referred to as Jiay Shah Noorani. Many belief that making a pilgrimage from the tomb of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar at Sehwan Sharif to Noorani Shah is akin to making Haj. Some even belief that this Haj is equal to 7 actual Haj (Muslims are required to perform Haj once in a lifetime if financial or health constraints don't stop them).

The place itself is built between the mountains and many myths appear to have arrived along with the people. One myth suggests arrival of daughter of Holy Prophet Muhammad (salahu alihi wasalam) at the site; another myth states that a giant animal was made into stone. There is even a stone under which if you pass properly you are regarded as Halali (legitimate); if you fail the test, you are surely an illegitimate child!

Noorani is not a place for faint hearted or for short tempered men. It requires some basic trekking skills. It also requires from visitors to accept things as they are: from eccentric to outright absurd.

A place to be, for sure.