Chaqchan Mosque can truly be considered as a symbol of peace and plurality of the region.
One of the oldest mosques of Gilgit-Baltistan, this place of worship has a diverse past.
It is said that in ancient times it was worship place of the Tibetan Bon religion; after which it was converted to a Buddhist temple when Buddhism dominated the region.
In around the late 14th century, with the arrival of Muslim Sufi preachers to the region, the site was transformed into a Khanqah – a worship place of the Sufis.
It is from here that the Nurbakhshi Sufi order grew to become the most popularly followed religious denomination in District Ghanche.
However, the most remarkable fact about the mosque is that it is widely believed that the remnants of the previous religious worship places still exist within its foundations – hinting at the idea, that they were never destroyed by the Muslim reformers.
The mosque is still preserved significantly in its original form, making it a unique specimen of traditional Balti architecture and woodwork. It is one of the must-see places during your visit to Ghanche!
