Arystan Bab Mausoleum
| Arystan Bab Mausoleum | |
|---|---|
 The mausoleum on a Kazakh stamp (left) | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islamic |
| Location | |
| Location | Kazakhstan |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mausoleum |
| Groundbreaking | 14th century |
| Completed | 1909 |
| 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
- ^ a b c d e KAZAKHSTAN THE LAND OF WONDERS. Almaty: BW-KZ. 2009.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c d "ARYSTAN BABA MAUSOLEUM". inform.kz. 2010-01-22. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
- ^ a b c Paul Brummell (2008). "Bradt Kazakhstan - Google Books". books.google.com. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
- ^ a b c d "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.