Lake Saif-ul-Malook is a mountainous lake that lies at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley near Naran. It seems like heaven on earth. The lake has crystal clear freezing water and is surrounded by glaciers and highest mountain of the area Malika Parbat having 5,290 metres height. Saif-ul-Malook lake is the highest lake of Pakistan at an altitude of 3,224 meters above sea level. According to a legend Fairies dance above the water surface on the 14th night of every lunar month.
During winter season lake is completely frozen due to heavy snowfall. Best time to visit this place is from June to September. Road condition is not good. From Naran bazar people hire jeeps to reach this place. A road has been constructed at some parts but still you have to cross glaciers and rough roads to reach lake.
Folklore
Saif-ul-Malook was an Egyptian prince. Saif-ul-Malook fell in love with a fairy princess named Badri-ul-Jamala in his dreams. A saint in Egypt advised him to go Naran to find fairy princess somewhere near a hidden lake in mountains. Saint also told him to do a prayer (Chilla) for forty days if he wants to see the fairy princess. After completing the practice he saw the fairy queen Badri-ul-Jamala and she was gorgeous.
But there was a twist in the story that the fairy was in the prison of white giant (Safaid Deyo) in Koh Qaf who was also in love with the fairy. Saif escaped with the fairy and took shelter in a cave near Naran bazar to avoid the anger of white giant. White giant created a turbulence in the lake and flooded the Kaghan valley. White giant thought that they might be dead so he returned back to Koh Qaf. Still large number of people visit that place.
According to the classic tale they believe that the prince and the fairy princess still live and dance above the water surface on the 14th night of every lunar month.
As this area is a protected area and every commercial activity is not allowed. But now they have built a hotel on the venue which is polluting the lake water. A large number of jeeps create bad impact on the beauty of lake. We must value this beauty and protect it for our next generations.
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