Mazar-e-Quaid, Karachi, Pakistan

Mazar-e-Quaid (Urdu: مزار قائد‎), Jinnah Mausoleum or the National Mausoleum refers to the tomb (Mazar) of the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It is an iconic symbol of Karachi throughout the world. The mausoleum (Urdu/Persian/Arabic: mazār), completed in the 1960s, is situated at the heart of the city. It is the final resting place and mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan and is located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.

The location is usually calm and tranquil which is significant considering that it is in the heart of one of the largest global megalopolises. The glowing tomb can be seen for miles at night. Besides Jinnah, Fatima Jinnah, his sister, and Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, are also buried here. Official and military ceremonies take place here on special occasions, such as on the 23rd of March (Pakistan Day), the 14th of August (Independence Day), the 11th of September (Jinnah's Death Anniversary) and the 25th of December (Jinnah's birthday). Dignitaries and officials from foreign countries also visit the mausoleum during official tours.

(Reference :  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazar-e-Quaid )

Getting There:

A lot of public transport is available through out the city to come to Mazar-e-Quaid easily. You can come in your own transport and avail a large parking lot where you will have to pay a parking fee of Rs. 30 / vehicle. 

View Larger Map

Entry Fee:

Entry fee into the park is Rs 10 / person where kids go in for free!

What to Expect:

Beautiful lush lawns all around the Mausoleum are a delightful sight. Fountains run across the park creating a cool atmosphere in a rather hot atmosphere of Karachi.

 

The main building of the mausoleum houses the grave of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. People visit this site all day long through out the year but specially on 25th December as it is the birthdate of Quaid-e-Azam. Shoes / foor-wear are not allowed inside the main tomb. You can find small places while climbing the stairs nearby where you  can deposit your shoes to be kept safe (read: not stolen) for Rs. 5 / pair.

Quaid -e- Azam's grave inside the Mausoleum

There are other graves of Fatima Jinnah, Quaid-e-Azam's sister, and Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan also in the mousoleum. 

Fatimah Jinnah (Quaid-e-Azam's sister)'s grave

Liaqat Ali Khan (Pakistan's First Prime Minister)'s grave 

There is a beautiful museum that holds a lot of things that Quaid-e-Azam used himself. This includes his two beautiful cars, bed room sets, dinning sets and so much more. 

Caution: No photography allowed inside the museum (only).

Overall a great place to visit specially for the young to get a history lesson. (Parents be prepared for lots of questions!)