The best places to visit in Layyah are the shrine of Hazrat Lal Esan at Karor Lal Esan, the Indus riverbank on the district's western side, and the sandy Thal Desert around Chaubara tehsil. Layyah is a district in southwestern Punjab, between the Indus and Chenab rivers, with two annual events that can shape a trip: the Mela Chodhwein at Karor in September, and the Thal Jeep Rally and Layyah Thal Festival in November.
It is a quiet, little-visited district, so this guide sticks to what official and news sources list and tells you what we could not confirm. We have not visited, and facilities for visitors are basic.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| District headquarters | Layyah city, population 151,274 (2023 census) |
| Elevation | About 143 m |
| Tehsils | Layyah, Karor Lal Esan, Chaubara |
| Main shrine | Lal Esan, at Karor Lal Esan |
| Annual mela | Mela Chodhwein, Karor, every September |
| Desert festival | Thal Jeep Rally and Layyah Thal Festival; four days in November 2025 |
| Climate | Hot, semi-arid; Thal summers generally 32 to 40 C, above 45 C in hot winds |
Karor Lal Esan and the Lal Esan shrine
Karor Lal Esan is a city on the west side of the Indus and the capital of its own tehsil. Its name comes from Hazrat Lal Esan: karor means ten million, and the district's website says he recited Surah Yaseen ten million times while standing in the Indus. The same source says he was the grandfather of the better-known saint Bahauddin Zakariya of Multan.
The shrine is the district's principal religious site. Dress modestly, cover your head and take off your shoes at the entrance. If the Multan connection interests you, our guide to the shrines of Multan covers Bahauddin Zakariya's tomb.
Nearby, at Hasanabad, is the tomb of Khawaja Ghulam Hassan Sewag Shareef, a 19th-century Sufi who died in 1939, according to the district site. It hosts an annual urs described as a purely religious gathering. The district also lists the darbars of Rajan Shah, Araf Shah, Shah Habib and Shah Ashraf.
Mela Chodhwein in September
The Mela Chodhwein is held at Karor every year in September in memory of Lal Esan. The district site lists horse racing, tent pegging, camel and bull racing, wrestling, kabaddi and other contests.
We could not find a confirmed date for 2026 or a published programme for a visitor, so ask the Layyah district administration before you plan a trip around it.
The Indus riverbank
The Indus runs along the west of the district, near Karor Lal Esan. Local tourism writing calls it a place for picnics and photography. The river floods in the monsoon, and the district is described as flood-prone, with villagers rebuilding their homes on raised platforms. Do not go near the water in July to September, and ask locals before walking on sand banks or crossing by boat.
The Thal Desert near Chaubara
Chaubara tehsil lies in the Thal, a sandy tract of about 23,000 square kilometres covering Layyah, Bhakkar, Muzaffargarh and Kot Addu, and parts of Khushab, Mianwali and Jhang. Wikipedia says its summer temperatures generally range from 32 to 40 C and hot winds can push them above 45 C, and that most of Pakistan's chickpea crop comes from there.
For a visitor that means flat sand and farmland, not postcard dunes. Go between November and March. The summer heat is severe and there is little shade.
Thal Jeep Rally and Layyah Thal Festival
The Thal Jeep Rally is an off-road event organised by the Punjab tourism department, which news reports say has run since about 2015. The 2025 rally and Layyah Thal Festival ran for four days in early November, and the district administration laid on free public transport from Layyah city, Karor Lal Esan and Paharpur.
If you want to see the Thal at its liveliest, this is the best time. Confirm dates each year with the Punjab tourism department.
Getting around and where to stay
Layyah has no developed tourist infrastructure that we could verify. Plan it as a day trip by car, ideally with a driver who knows the roads, and stay in a larger city such as Multan. Our where to stay in Multan page has options. We do not give drive times here because we could not confirm them.
Is Layyah safe to visit?
Layyah is not named in the UK government's Pakistan travel advice. Parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the north and west, including Dera Ismail Khan, are named, so check the current picture and local police advice before you set out, avoid travel near the provincial border, and keep to main roads in daylight. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice, which can affect travel insurance.
Who should go?
Layyah suits readers interested in Saraiki culture, saint shrines and festivals, and people passing through southern Punjab with a day to spare. It does not suit anyone after dramatic scenery or tourist services. For other options in the region, see our destinations page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Layyah famous for?
Its shrines, particularly Lal Esan at Karor, the Thal Desert and its chickpea farming.
When is the Thal Jeep Rally held?
The 2025 edition ran for four days in early November. Dates change by year, so check with the Punjab tourism department.
When is the Mela Chodhwein?
Every September at Karor Lal Esan, according to the Layyah district website.
Is there a desert in Layyah?
Yes. Part of the Thal Desert lies in Layyah district, around Chaubara tehsil.
Is Layyah safe for tourists?
It is not on the UK's list of areas to avoid, but stay on main roads, travel in daylight and check local advice.
