Mazar-e-Quaid is the most popular and common picnic point in Karachi.
Mazar means tomb and Quaid means leader so it is in fact a tomb of our leader & freedom fighter "Muhammad Ali Jinnah".
Below picture from 2013
My elder brother watching it closely 👇
Trying to do something new 😜
He was given titles of Quaid-e-Azam & Baba-i-Qaum by the nation which means great leader and father of the nation respectively.
It was his efforts and hard work that changed the fate of people from subcontinent. In his memory and honor, this mausoleum was built.
Below pictures from 2020 : Selfie time
I have visited this place since my childhood till now multiple times.
Fun-fact: When I was a kid like 6-7 years old, It appears to me as if this is the face of Quaid e Azam and get amazed how come he have three eyes and only one hair LOL but as time passes, I get to know the reality.
Below pictures from 2015
@shrazi what are you looking at? 😁😁
History: After the death of Quaid e Azam, it took a lot of time to finalize the structure and architecture of tomb. Everyone was eager share the design and ideas in order to have a memorial place for him.
Different architects from around the world takes part in it but finally a friend of Quaid e Azam "Yahya Merchant" was selected to design and architect the place which completed in 1070s.
This is the iconic and historical place of Karachi. White marble looks so great and is a huge monument, if look up standing beside the monument you get a headache.
It was well developed in 2000 and a large park area was build and maintained for the visitors. You need to do a bit of walking from entry gate to reach Mausoleum. Trees, paved paths, properly built steps, eating areas and fountains were recently improved which is very impressive.
I have never seen a single tourist at this place in my visits, don't know the exact reason. However, for locals, it is one of the best place to chill with family. Weekends are always crowded. It was free entry earlier but now they are charging around RS 10-20 which is not a big amount for such a nice place.
Shoes needs to be taken off before entering the main Mausoleum area. Once you are there, you may have a nice view of the city. Winds blow very frequently sometimes it is so strong that it pushes you back :P
Below Pictures in reference to above Para
Inside, its a big room. Grave is in the center and surrounded by metal fence which only opens in special occasions for VIPs/delegations/diplomats. The big Chandelier looks wonderful. There are four security guards on each corner available at all times.
Pictures below from 2013
Fun-fact: we use to say these security guards/armed force are here so that Quaid e Azam could not run away from the place LOL
In childhood, we use to see the ceremony of changing guards which is very impressive act but nowadays, I do not see that ceremony. Things keeps on changes.
We always had a great time with family here except only once, when my brother with his family from Sweden was in Pakistan and we went there. He was not allowed to carry his DSLR camera due to which the day got spoiled.
Other thing is I never had a good experience of food here. I could say it is just OK but nothing so special, its expensive and not up to the mark.
Restaurant area
There are few other graves of national heroes beside the Mausoleum and a museum as well where belongings to Muhammad Ali Jinnah are displayed even a showroom of his cars which looks splendid.
Overall, it is an excellent landmark to relax and enjoy with family.