Bakhouddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum in Bukhara
Bakhouddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum
The Bakhouddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum is a significant spiritual and architectural landmark located approximately 12 kilometers from Bukhara, Uzbekistan. It serves as the final resting place of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari, the 14th-century founder of the Naqshbandi Sufi order, who passed away in 1389.
Historical Significance
Baha-ud-Din Naqshbandi is revered as a central figure in Sufism, and his teachings have influenced Islamic spirituality profoundly. His mausoleum has become a major pilgrimage site, often referred to as the "Central Asian Mecca," attracting devotees seeking blessings and spiritual fulfillment.
Architectural Features
The mausoleum complex has evolved over centuries and comprises several structures:
- Dahma (Tomb): A modest 2-meter-high marble tomb, traditionally circumambulated by pilgrims.
- Khanqah: A spiritual retreat for Sufi gatherings.
- Mosques: Including the Khakim Kushbegi and Muzaffarkhan mosques, notable for their intricate wooden columns and painted ceilings.
- Minaret: A small brick minaret with arched lanterns.
- Madrasa: An educational institution for Islamic studies.
- Necropolis: Known as Dahman-Shahon, serving as a cemetery for notable figures.
Pilgrimage Traditions
Local beliefs hold that walking to the mausoleum from Bukhara three times is equivalent to performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Additionally, pilgrims often perform three anticlockwise circumambulations around the tomb and a petrified tree believed to have sprouted from Naqshbandi's staff upon his return from Mecca.
Visiting Information
The mausoleum is accessible to visitors and remains an active site of worship and pilgrimage. It is advisable to dress modestly and be respectful of local customs during your visit. The complex has undergone restorations, particularly in the 1990s and early 2000s, to preserve its historical and spiritual significance.
For those interested in Islamic history, architecture, or Sufi traditions, the Bakhouddin Naqshbandi Mausoleum offers a profound and enriching experience.
Entrance fee: 1.5 USD