LAHORE: The TDCP – Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab, announced the schedule of 14th Cholistan Desert Rally 2019.
The Cholistan Desert Rally is held annually in the magnificent desert of Cholistan. It has been held since 2005 with the objectives of highlighting the potential of motor sports and also promoting tourist destination like Southern Punjab where the desert of Cholistan is located.
The event will commence from 14th February and conclude on 17th February 2019.
The 14th TDCP Cholistan Desert Rally 2019, will this time cover a distance of more than 450kms, passing through Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar, which also includes major forts – Dingarh Fort, Marrot Fort, Jamgarh Fort, Bhijnot Fort, Moujgarh Fort and Khan Garh.
The announced Schedule is as follows:
10.02.2019: Press Conference
14.02.2019 Registration, Technical examination and qualifying round on first come first serve basis at Dilwash Dhar Stadium Derawar.
15.02.2019: Prepared category race 1st round 220km. Start point at Dilwash Dhar Stadium Derawar.
Start point at Dilwash Dhar Stadium Derawar. Midpoint at Bijnot fort.
Cultural show followed by Fireworks 8pm to 9pm.
17.02.2019: Prepared category final round 245km.Start point at Dilwash Dhar Stadium Derawar.
Midpoint at Jamgarh fort.
Prize distribution ceremony at 7.30pm at Derawar.
Cholistan Desert is a barren desert covering around 16,000 square km area. The largest of four major deserts of Pakistan, it is bordered on the south by the Thar desert also located in the Sindh province of Pakistan and on the east by the Rajasthan desert in India.
Presently also inhabited by nomads, the word ‘Cholistan’ is derived from the word ‘Cholna’ which means moving. Another explanation is that it is derived from the Turkish word Chol, meaning desert.
The main town Bahawalpur at 30 km is the closest major town to the desert.
The majestic beauty of Cholistan Desert at one time included 400 forts. Some dating back to 1000 BC, were destroyed and rebuilt many times but presently most of them are in ruins. The famous Forts are Derawar, Vingrot, Banwar, Marcot, Wilhar, Maujgharh, Mao, Phuira and Din-gharh etc.
