Caves & Legends of Gondrani Tour

Gondrani, also known as Shehr-e-Roghan is an archaeological site near the town of Bela in Balochistan, Pakistan.

The town is also known as the Cave City of Lasbella, the Cave Dwellings of Gondrani, the House of the Spirits, and the town of Mai Goudrani.

The site is 20 kilometres (12 mi) to the north of the ancient town of Bela and 218 kilometres (135 mi) from Karachi, in Lasbella District of Balochistan.

The Caves of Gondrani are locally known as Puraney Ghar, simply translating to ‘Old Houses’.

They are carved into solid conglomerate rocks at several levels, and are connected by pathways. All the caves have small rooms with hearths and wall niches for lamps, along with verandahs or front porches.

Many local legends are associated with the town. One relates the story of a king and his daughter, named Badiul Jamal, during the reign of king Solomon, who was haunted by demons. Many heroes came to free her and failed, but eventually Prince Saif-ul-Muluk killed the demons and freed her. According to another legend, the demons and evil spirits inhabiting the mountain would torment and feed on the flesh of the people of Gondrani. An old holy woman named Mai Balochani or Mai Balochani sacrificed herself to kill the demons and free the town people. In another version, the pious lady exorcised the town and lived there until her death. The woman is buried nearby; her burial place is a well-known local shrine