Nagarparkar is a town in Thar, southern Pakistan, located at the bottom of the curvy and pointed Karoonjhar Mountains that rises up to 300 meters. The solid pink granite mountains cover the large area forming the profound canyons and dry rivulets which is a home to a variety of flora, fauna and iconic architectural heritage of Pakistan. Interestingly, the residents call their town “Nagar”, which is borrowed from Sanskrit language meaning- “gathering of men”. Due to the dynamic geographical location and non-flexible culture, Nagar is unique in its own way as people are still following the old societal values. These values, customs, traditions, people, and lifestyle in town is diversified which can be observed and understood by only visiting and experiencing Nagarparkar.

Nagar can be taken as an example of syncretism among the societies as the inhabitants of the town are mostly Hindus who are living with Muslims and Christians minorities in harmony. People of Nagarparkar are famous for their vibrant traditional attires which are rare to see in other parts of Pakistan as men usually ware colorful Shalwar Kamiz (occasionally with turban or a scarf). Women ware Saris and Ghaghra Choli along with interesting full arm colorful bangles and a big traditional nose pin as a custom followed by the married women. The tradition of wearing bangles are centuries old when the bangles are used to personalized by hand with Ivory but now a days these are made with plastic on machines. They also use thick silver necklaces lockets, headbands, bracelets and anklets with beads occasionally. Although women of Nagarparkar do everything thing to look attractive but accordion to the ethnicities they are constrained to cover their faces with a duppatta or the palu of sari as a veil in public spaces.

Job opportunities are minimal in the town. Women are usually involve in the domestic works or in cottage industry where they produce local crafts including handmade traditional clothes, bed sheets, shawls, rugs, carpets, bags, and much more to sell in the big cities like Karachi and Hyderabad. On the contrary, men are generally farmers, shopkeepers and few of them are drivers who are perusing their career in the tourism. The tourism in Nagarparkar is far beyond the imagination as it is said to be the land of history and architectural marvels. People from different parts of Sindh come here to visit various tourist attractions, centuries’ old temples and shrines including Old Jain temple, Gori temple, Choorio Mandir, Bhoodisar temples and mosque, Nagarparkar museum, Marvi’s well, Karoonjhar Mountains and Baba Ram-Dev Temple- Kasboo. As per the record, Hindus and Muslims visit these locations in great numbers for their special events and festivals.

In every monsoon, the Thar Desert transforms into a lush green area as it is the only fertile desert in Pakistan and invites everyone living nearby. People gather here for the festive season and celebrate to beat the heat of harsh summers. Cattle, camels, goats, sheep, and a variety of birds including peacocks are part of daily sight during the season. These cultural festivals bring various local singers and dancers, performers and storytellers, visitors, and the general public on one platform which becomes part of a much bigger gathering.

Nagarparkar is a small world in itself. People are poor and needy as they suffer from water and electricity shortages. China has taken an initiative with the Pakistan government by developing a few projects in Thar but at the same time, there is a threat to its unique and rich culture. It could be environmentally degraded or the cultural values will be disappeared with the passage of time depending on the future plans of the government for Nagarparkar.