TAXILA: The picnic spots in Taxila and Hassanabdal witnessed traditional festivities on Eidul Fitr as thousands of visitors, including women and children, thronged the recreational places to make the best of their holidays.

As the shopping malls and commercial centres remained closed, the people turned to the nearby open-air recreational places.

Khanpur Dam, Taxila Museum, Wah Gardens, Aqua Fun, Sher Shah Suri Park, Muqbara Lala Rukh and different ancient sites presented a hospitalable ambience to families that came for outdoor entertainment.

According to official figures, over a thousand people visited the Taxila Museum, over 600 visited the Wah Gardens, more than 700 visited the Sher Shah Suri Park and almost 200 people visited the Muqbara Lala Rukh.

Similarly, over one thousand people, including visitors from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, visited the Khanpur Dam within the two Eid days.

“Although watching the latest movies in the cinema is a good way to spend the Eid day, I prefer to spend time playing with my children in the green lawns of Taxila Museums, mainly because it is a much healthier activity,” said Saqib Qureshi, a resident of Wah Cantonment.

Zainab had come from Gujranwala, along with her family, to celebrate Eid with her grandparents in Wah Cantonment.

“We are enjoying a lot,” she said, during her visit to Khanpur spillway.

Noman Javaid, a visitor at the Aqua Fun, said the place was ideal for picnics as the people can enjoy outdoor activities here.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2014