About
Chilas I sits on the hillside above the Karakoram Highway, directly opposite the Thalpan Bridge. A group of Buddhist petroglyphs is spread across the boulders, with stupas, devotees, and sacred figures, including a depiction of the Buddha's body sacrifice and Bodhisattva Maitreya. Chilas II lies nearby and has more fine Buddhist engravings. Together they are part of the larger Chilas rock-art complex, which stretches for dozens of kilometres along the Indus and includes thousands of carvings from many periods. Some carvings at Chilas have been damaged by vandalism, which makes careful and respectful visiting important. Many of the carvings in the wider area are expected to be submerged when the Diamer-Bhasha Dam reservoir fills.