Tour to Karaman-Ata Mosque
Sufi tours in Mangyshlak –
Pilgrimage to the holy places of Mangistau –
Karaman-Ata underground mosque of the Mangyshlak Peninsula, one of the most famous mosques in Kazakhstan and a sacred place. This tour is designed to visit this particular mosque and will take us only one day. The mosque was built by the famous Sufi, whose name was Karaman-ata in the 8th century. There are three main rooms in the cave, the mosque was built in an already existing natural cave, which was processed from the inside. Additional rooms were cut down in the cave and walls were processed, as well as interior objects such as columns were added so that the roof of the cave would not collapse and be strong.
The Karaman-ata mosque is surrounded by many legends, one of which says that every person who visits the mosque is healed of illnesses and ailments. Also, this mosque is very popular, here you can always meet pilgrims and travelers from all over the world. The mosque is famous for its location on the Mangyshlak peninsula, in addition to the mosque on the peninsula there are other mosques and natural attractions that we will visit when traveling to the mosque.
The route of the pilgrimage to the Karaman-Ata mosque:
Aktau - Zhetybay village - Zhetybay village - Yesen-ata necropolis - Karaman-ata necropolis and underground mosque (XIII - XIX centuries)
- Distance of the route:
146 km
- Season time:
all year
- Best time:
Summer time
- Group size:
1-25
- Days & nights:
1 day
Tour itinerary:
Transfer: Aktau - Karagie depression - Zhetybay village - Yesen ata necropolis (146 km). Departure at 8.00 from Aktau. Our path lies to the southeast through the deepest depression of Karagie - 132 meters below sea level to the small village of oil workers Munaishi.
The number 132 meters below sea level sounds unusual. We pass the village of Munaishi, turn left to the north and pass through the village of Zhitebay. To the right of the road behind the village there are stone quarries where Mangyshlak shell rock is mined, which is used in the construction of buildings. On the way we visit the ancient necropolis Yesen ata.
We reach the small village of Beki and from it we turn west to the Karaman-ata necropolis, which is 16 kilometers away. Arrival at the necropolis of Karaman ata. Visiting the ancient necropolis and underground mosque Karaman ata. On the walls and ceilings of the underground mosque, in a state of suspended animation, local gecko lizards froze from the cold. Lunch at Shiraksha's house. Return to Aktau (146 km).
Transfer: Aktau city - Bayandy village - Karakiya tract - Karaman ata necropolis (85 km, 2 hours). Departure from Aktau. Our path lies to the northeast in the direction of the village of Bayanda.
We pass a small "dead" lake at the exit from the city, into which the "tails" of the waste of the Mangyshlak mining and metallurgical plant were dumped. We pass the Bardybek mazar, which is located 1 kilometer from the road. Soon on our way, we will see oil rigs, gas flares not far from them. A water pipe was laid along the road, through which water is supplied to the cities of Aktau from the Volga River. We pass the Kuylus pumping station and turn left in the direction of Shetpe village. Soon we are at the Karaman-ata necropolis. Visiting the ancient necropolis Karaman-ata, visiting the underground mosque Karaman-ata. On the walls and stream of the underground mosque, local gecko lizards froze in a state of suspended animation from the cold. Inspection of ancient burials. Return to Aktau. On the way, stop at the lake, which is located in a mountain crevice. Against the background of white, chalky rock outcrops, the water seems dark black. Walks in the vicinity of the lake, further transfer to Aktau.
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