Thread by @amirhusain_tx

Where does “Himalayan salt” come from? A photo thread. Enroute to Islamabad, Pakistan, I stopped to visit the mines in the Khewra salt range; the second largest salt mine in the world. It was discovered when Alexander the Great came through this region in ~330 BC. (1/x)

At that time, salt was highly valued and was even used as currency by the Phoenicians. Interestingly, Alexander’s favorite warhorse, Bucephalus, is buried a few miles from here. (2/x)

This salt mine served the Mughal Empire, and of course the British operated it during their period of colonial rule. It has been actively mined with relatively modern methods since the 1870s. (3/x)

Around 350,000 tons of salt is mined annually, but the reserve estimates are between 82-600 million tons. (4/x)

All the pink Himalayan salt and salt lamps available in Europe and the US come from this mine. They sometimes sport labels suggesting they were made in some other place, but those are re-export labels. They originate here. (5/x)

There is also a medical facility on one level of the mine where Asthma patients are treated without any medication. The air in the mine serves as a natural treatment. (6/x)

The tourist part of the mine has several attractions made entirely of salt. For example, a salt mosque, and a salt replica of the “Minar-e-Pakistan” landmark. (7/x)

A tram carries visitors who would rather not walk the ~ 1km distance through the mine’s entry shaft. (8/x)

Since this is an active, working mine, there are many passage ways that lead away from the tourist areas to where the mining is currently under way. (9/x)

Mining has been done on a room and pillar model, where a “room” is excavated and a pillar around the same width as the room is left standing next to it. Most of these rooms are more than 40 feet deep and filled with water. (10/x)

The water mixed with salt is like that of the Dead Sea… it prevents anyone from drowning. There are dozens of these massive pools all over the mine. The deepest is over 80 ft deep. (11/x)

There are many surreal views and vantage points spread across the mine… beautiful reflecting pools… magical arches… stalactites overhead… (12/x)

This is a part of the mine called The Crystal Palace, so named because it has particularly fine crystals embedded in the walls; they are reflective and quite beautiful to see. (13/x)

This rather interesting air vent also brings water into the mine. Our guide turned the pump on and water came gushing down… (14/x)

This was an incredibly magical trip. A sense of tranquility envelops you when you are inside the mine. You are instantly connected with Alexander and the Mughals; a deep history going back at least 2,400 years. What a remarkable place, indeed! (15/15)

Wow! Thank you for all the interest. Here is a bonus picture of a salt lamp found at one of the souvenir shops just outside the mine.