Musa ka Musalla
Highest point
Elevation4,060 m (13,320 ft)
Coordinates34°42′58″N 73°21′37″E / 34.716044°N 73.360241°E / 34.716044; 73.360241
Geography
LocationMansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Parent rangeHimalayas

Musa ka Musalla (Urdu: موسیٰ کا مصلیٰ transl. Moses' mat) is a peak standing at an altitude of about 4,060 metres (13,320 ft) at the junction of Siran and Kaghan Valleys in Himalayas.[1] It is situated 150 kilometres (93 mi) north of the city of Abbottabad in Balakot Tehsil of Mansehra District.[2]

Etymology

The name Musa ka Musalla translates to Moses' mat. The legend has it that a shepherd named Musa used to pray there at the peak.[2] There is also a shrine at the top probably of the same shepherd who is revered to as a saint by locals.[1]

Routes

The peak is accessible via multiple routes in summers but all needs hours of trekking. [2]

  • Balakot to Nadi Bangla and Kund Bangla route
  • Paras to Sharran forest route
  • Shinkiari to Mandagucha route
  • Balakot to Nadi Bungalow to Sikkiyan Katha to Naaga Mosque to the ridge above Sarolian to Musa ka Musalla Basecamp Mosque (also called Danna Mosque) towards the peak. To go via this route, a jeep ride from Balakot takes you via Nadi Bungalow (crossing Kachal Katha) to a point (just under Maidan) above Sikkiyan Katha, where you can climb for 15 minutes and camp, or use Nakka Mosque as basecamp. It takes 1500+ meters (each) of ascent and descent from this point to reach the peak, and the trek is almost 7.5+ km long on each side. In favorable conditions, it takes almost 11+ hours to summit and reach back, based on the following minimum estimates:
    • 1.5 hours of trek from Maidan/Nakka Mosque to Naaga Mosque
    • 2 hours from Naaga Mosque to Musa ka Musalla Basecamp Mosque
    • 2 more hours from Musa ka Musalla Basecamp Mosque to the peak.

The Shinkiari to Manda Gucha route is the most commonly used route to reach the peak.[3] This is also the trek used for winter summits.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Musa ka Musalla.

References

  1. 1 2 "So close to Musa ka Musalla". The News on Sunday (TNS). 2016-11-27. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  2. 1 2 3 "Musa ka Musalla: Pakistan's playground where fairies come to play". The Express Tribune. 2017-09-30. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  3. ↑ Elahi, Faysal Khan (2017-12-11). "Trekking to Siran Valley is a dream come true for adventure junkies and photo enthusiasts alike". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
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