Tomb of Anarkali

Monument Mughal-era mausoleum in Lahore, ornate funerary tomb

A Mughal-era tomb in Lahore associated with a legendary love story and 16th-17th century architecture. Visitors stop to study carved stonework and the site’s place in local history.

Main image

The Tomb of Anarkali is a Mughal-era funerary monument in Lahore, Punjab, traditionally linked to the legend of Anarkali, a courtesan said to have been involved with Prince Salim. It is one of the older surviving Mughal structures in Lahore and stands within the city’s historic area.

The tomb is noted for its octagonal plan and Mughal architectural detailing, with interior spaces that historically served as a funerary chamber and an attached prayer area. Visitors come to see the structure’s masonry and to view one of Lahore’s early Mughal monuments within the urban context.

The mausoleum dates to the Mughal period and has been associated in popular tradition with the Anarkali legend involving Prince Salim. Over subsequent centuries the building has seen various uses and modifications typical of urban Mughal monuments in Lahore.

The tomb sits in Lahore city in Punjab, Pakistan, close to the Mall Road and the historic central districts. It is readily accessible from central Lahore and is embedded in the older urban fabric of the city.

  • Historical association: One of Lahore's early Mughal-era monuments, traditionally associated with the story of Anarkali and Prince Salim (later Emperor Jahangir).
  • Urban location: Located within the urban fabric of Lahore close to the city's historic Mall Road and old market districts, making it an accessible heritage site in the city.

What to See #

  • Mausoleum: The octagonal mausoleum chamber contains the primary funerary chamber with Mughal-era architectural detailing and stonework.
  • Mosque/prayer chamber: An adjoining prayer chamber and small mosque structure are attached to the tomb complex and have been used for religious purposes at different times.
Tomb of Anarkali
Tomb of Anarkali, north of Anarkali Bazaar, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
31.5786, 74.3639
Typically daily 9:00am-5:00pm
Small local entry fee; foreign visitors typically a nominal charge (exact fees vary)

How to Get to Tomb of Anarkali #

The Tomb of Anarkali is in central Lahore, a short walk from Anarkali Bazaar and within easy rickshaw or taxi distance from the Walled City. Lahore’s public buses and ride-hailing services also provide convenient access.

Tips for Visiting Tomb of Anarkali #

  • Visit in the morning to see the architecture in soft light and avoid the afternoon crowds at Anarkali Bazaar.
  • Combine with a walk through the adjacent Anarkali Bazaar and Lahore Fort to place the tomb in its urban context.
  • Hire a local guide who can explain the contested histories - the Anarkali story is half-legend and half-architectural fact.

Best Time to Visit Tomb of Anarkali #

Winter and shoulder seasons (Nov-Apr) are most comfortable for exploring Lahore's historic sites.

Winter
Nov-Feb · 5-20°C (41-68°F)
Cooler days ideal for walking the old city and visiting monuments.
Spring/Autumn
Mar-Apr, Sep-Oct · 15-30°C (59-86°F)
Pleasant weather and reasonable crowds; ideal for photography.

Weather & Climate near Tomb of Anarkali #

Climate

Tomb of Anarkali's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with very hot summers (peaking in June) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 40°C. Moderate rainfall (529 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 165 Unhealthy
Best Time to Visit
OctoberNovemberMarch
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
51°
Warmest Month
-1°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 20°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall.

79 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
20°
44%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

22 mm
Rainfall
0.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall.

81 Excellent

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
22°
46%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
1.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 27°
40%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

28 mm
Rainfall
1.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
11.9h daylight

April

April is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

89 Excellent

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
19° 34°
32%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

18 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.8h daylight

May

May is hot with highs of 39°C and lows of 24°C. Light rainfall.

83 Excellent

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
31°C
Temperature
24° 39°
23%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

18 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
13.6h daylight

June

June is the hottest month with highs of 40°C and lows of 27°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm).

81 Excellent

Comfort

33°
Feels Like Hot
33°C
Temperature
27° 40°
31%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
14.0h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 33°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (158 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

33°
Feels Like Hot
31°C
Temperature
27° 36°
51%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

158 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
13.8h daylight

August

August is hot, feeling like 34°C. Significant rainfall (139 mm).

71 Very Good

Comfort

34°
Feels Like Hot
31°C
Temperature
26° 35°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

139 mm
Rainfall
1.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
13.1h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 31°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
29°C
Temperature
24° 35°
54%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
1.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

October

October is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
18° 32°
39%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

10 mm
Rainfall
0.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
11.3h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 5 mm and mostly sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
12° 27°
36%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

5 mm
Rainfall
0.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.4h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
21°
38%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

10 mm
Rainfall
0.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

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