Arystan Bab Mausoleum
| Arystan Bab Mausoleum | |
|---|---|
 The mausoleum on a Kazakh stamp (left) | |
  Shown within Kazakhstan | |
| Basic information | |
| Location | Kazakhstan |
| Geographic coordinates | 42°51′04″N 68°16′05″E / 42.851°N 68.268°ECoordinates: 42°51′04″N 68°16′05″E / 42.851°N 68.268°E |
| Affiliation | Islamic |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural type | Mausoleum |
| Groundbreaking | 14th century |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 13 m[1] |
| Width | 30 m[1] |
| Dome(s) | 2 |
| Minaret(s) | 2 |
| Materials | Burnt brick with alabaster mortar[2] |
Arystan Bab Mausoleum (Kazakh: АРЫСТАН БАБ МАЗАРЫ) is a mausoleum in Kazakhstan close to the village of Kogam and Otrartobe.
History
A legend states that Emir Timur ordered the construction of a mosque on the site of Khoja Akhmet Yassawi's grave but all attempts were unsuccessful. Timur was then told in a dream that in order to have success he should first build a mausoleum over grave of the mystic Arystan Baba.[1]
The mausoleum dates from the 14th century and is constructed over Arystan Baba's 12th-century grave but was reconstructed several times up to the 18th century.[2] In the 18th century the previous mausoleum, which had been destroyed by an earthquake was replaced with a double domed structure supported by two carved wooden columns.[1] Most of the current structure was constructed in the first decade of the 20th century with only the carved wooden pillars remaining from the original building.[2][3][4]
Description
The mausoleum features a large central arch and wide front facade with minarets at the ends and two large domes to the left of the main arch. As well as the two-chambered table-tomb (gurkhana) of Arystan Bab and three of his students, Hermet-Azyra, Karga-Baba and Lashyn-Baba, a mosque and auxiliary quarters and museum are located in the other rooms of the mausoleum.[2][3] The effect of high groundwater levels led to the mosque being demolished and rebuilt in 1971.[4] A quran showing medieval calligraphy is displayed under glass here.[1]
The mausoleum is today a place of pilgrimage.[4]
Arystan Baba
According to legends Arystan Baba, a religious mystic, was the recipient of Mohammad's amanat beads or persimmon stone. When he was in Sayram he then passed these on to the eleven-year-old Khodja Akhmed Yassaui who became his pupil.[5] Arystan Baba lived for over 400 years before his death[3][4]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arystan Bab Mausoleum. |
- 1 2 3 4 5 KAZAKHSTAN THE LAND OF WONDERS. Almaty: BW-KZ. 2009.
- 1 2 3 4 "ARYSTAN BABA MAUSOLEUM". inform.kz. 2010-01-22. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
- 1 2 3 Paul Brummell (2008). "Bradt Kazakhstan - Google Books". books.google.com. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 "Arystan-Bab Mausoleum / Attractions / Портал visitkazakhstan.nur.kz". visitkazakhstan.nur.kz. 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
- ↑ "SADMOL travel company". sadmol.com. 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2011.