Name: Full-day tour to the holy places of Mangystau and the underground Mosque Beket-Ata
SKU: 28255
Price: 10 USD
Availability: InStock

Duration: 15 hours

Activity Level: Moderate

Experience: Family, Historical, Nature

Language: English

Photo permit included

Tour by public transport

Canal Boat tour included

Train tickets included

Suitable for little children

Wheelchair accessible tour

Museum ticket included

Light snack included

Lunch included

Transportation included

Walking Tour

Overview

For two centuries, pilgrims have been flocking to the Beket-Ata mosque to bow to his grave and ask for mercy. Knowledgeable people say that he does not leave those in trouble who sincerely turn to him for help. In the west of Kazakhstan, it is believed that the mere mention of the name Beket-Ata in a conversation can ward off trouble, and prayer in a mosque can work a miracle. Shopan-Ata complex is surprisingly large, most interesting in it is the mixing of animist pre-Islamic beliefs and Islam that is typical for Kazakhstan.

What's included

Professional licensed guide
Pick-up and drop-off
Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
All fees and taxes

Lunch and drinks (own expense)
Personal Expenses

Highlights

Aktau

Aktau is a city in Kazakhstan, located on the Eastern shore of the Caspian Sea. Its current name means "white mountain" in Kazakh, which may be due to its cliffs that overlook the Caspian. From 1964 to 1991 city was known as Shevchenko. Its former name was given due to the eponymous Ukrainian poet's period of exile in the area. It is located on the Mangyshlak Peninsula and is the capital of the Mangystau Region. Aktau is known for its unique block address system. Almost no streets in Aktau have names; instead, addresses generally consist of three numbers: the district number (also known as micro-region/micro-district/block), the building number, and the apartment number. This is because Aktau was originally planned as a camp for the workers of the oil industry.

Beket-Ata Underground Mosque

Beket-Ata mosque is a sacred place. Throughout the year, pilgrims from all over the country come in flocks to this place to bare their souls. Beket-Ata is known in the Muslim world as a foreteller and prophet, as well as a healer, and a person, who was familiar with the laws of physics, mathematics, and astronomy. He was born in 1750. At the age of 14 the young boy left for the remote city of Khiva to study in the medrese. At the age of 40, he became the Sufi. There seven rooms of the mosque with excellent acoustics. Beket-Ata was buried near the mosque. The Beket-Ata necropolis is a spiritual historical and architectural monument. Later on, the mosque became a scientific center, an observatory under the open sky.

Shopan Ata Underground Mosque

It is one of the most significant places for pilgrimage. Shopan Ata Underground mosque is associated with the name of the revered sage, who once became a mentor for Becket Ata. Today there is an unspoken rule for pilgrims to stop at Shopan Ata before visiting Beket Ata Underground Mosque. The mosque is carved inside a rock and consists of 12 rooms. One room serves for religious rituals, another is designed for educational activities, and the third one is for the readings, etc. In addition, there is a tomb of Shopan-ata and halls for pilgrims. Shopan Ata Underground Mosque and the necropolis of the same name are the historical and cultural heritage of the Mangystau Province and the entire Kazakhstan.

Itinerary

06:00 07:00 08:00

Our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel in Aktau.

The pilgrimage to the underground mosque Beket – Ata begins with a visit to another underground mosque Shopan-Ata, who was according to legend the spiritual mentor of Beket – Ata. The Shopan-Ata necropolis, located on the old caravan road, is the most widespread and possibly the oldest in Mangyshlak.

After visiting the underground mosque Shopan – Ata, you will continue your way to the sacred land of Beket – Ata, where the most important part of the pilgrimage begins.

On foot along a twisting path, among the rocks, you will go to the mosque. In a small room where Beket-Ata used to pray and teach children, you will be given the opportunity to perform namaz.

Beket-Ata is the third holiest place for Kazakhstan muslims after “mecca” in Saudi Arabia and “Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi” in turkestan.

After visiting the mosque, you will have a lunch prepared from a sacrificial animal.

The group returns back to Aktau after the tour.

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Full-day tour to the holy places of Mangystau and the underground Mosque Beket-Ata