The architecture of the Tashkent Metro is one of the most beautiful in the world, and it is a traditional destination for tourists and guests...
Tours
Every Moslem knows such names like Bahauddin Nakshbandi, Abduhallik Gijduvani. During the tour you will have opportunity to make pilgrimage to the graves of this great theologians of Islam but also to other sacred places. You will get know better one of the most mysterious branch in Islam - Sufism. You will visit the graves of Sufis where people during the centuries get treatment with water from the holy sources next to the Sufis graves. Almost every grave of the Sufi could give a treatment. Almost every has a legend.
Overview
Bukhara in the middle ages was one of the world centers of Sufism – the mystical sect of Islam, divided into tariqahs - religious orders. There were many small schools and tariqahs, mentors and religious scientists in Bukhara of 11-15 centuries succeeded each other, and the result of that process is Naqshbandiya – the largest even in our time Sunni spiritual order of Sufism.
If you are in Bukhara, you would probably know about the "seven pirs" – the most important holy places in the vicinity of Bukhara, where the followers of the Sufi brotherhoods that originated here come for the Little Hajj. Some Muslim saints were buried there with entire complexes of mausoleums, mosques, madrassas and khanaqahs, on the "top" of which is Bahauddin Naqshbandi himself – one of the most honored saints of Central Asia, the founder of Naqshbandiya, whose adherents are now in the entire Islamic world.
- - Visit the graves of 7 great sufi of "nakshbandia" and "khodjagon" founders
- - Meet with the people that still follow Sufi practices
- - Marvel at zikhr
- - Explore sufi khonaka (the house where sufi lived and gathered together to pray, to meditate, to discuss about God and True Path)
- - Taste the water from ancient springs next to the Sufis graves that people used for many centuries to treat otherwise incurable diseases
- - Pay respect to the holy place "Khazor nur" (thousands lights) where the first Muslims in Uzbekistan are buried after they were killed for accepting Islam more then 1000 years ago
- - Visit the graves of other well-known sufis
In Muslim world Bukhara also known as “Buhoro-i-Shariff”. Shariff (Arabic world, means “holy”, also it means “seven”).
In Islam there are 7 objects of worship:
1. Kalam-i- Shariff (Koran)
2. Hadiths -i-Shariff (hadiths – talking of Prophet Mohammed)
3. Makka-i-Shariff (Mecca and Medina cities)
4. Shom-i-Shariff (Syria, Damask city)
5. Mazar-i-Shariff (city in Afghanistan)
6. Buhoro-i-Shariff (Bukhara city, Uzbekistan)
There are 41 holy places for Muslims in the world. 7 of them are located in the Bukhara. The great title “Buhoro-i-Shariff” was attributed to Bukhara for 7 having graves of great Sufi teachers:
1. Khodja Alaud Daula Abdul Khalik Gijduvani (the founder of "khodjagon" sufi branch)
2. Khodja Mukhammad Orif Rigvari;
3. Khodja Makhmud Anjir Fagnavi;
4. Khodja Azizan Ali ar Romitani;
5. Khodja Mukhammad Baba as-Sammasi;
6. Khodja Said Amir al Kulal;
7. Imamu Tarikatti Shakh Mukhammad Bahau-d Din An Nakshbandi al-Uvaysi al Bukhari (the founder of "nakshbandiya" branch)
You will visit graves of this people and talk with their followers, listen to mystic stories about them.
The keepers of tradition
Next to the graves of seven sufi of Bukhara stay people who look after the graves. Those are followers of sufis. They talk about life of sufis, their deeds and tell stories about them. The last 15 years imam-khatib Amrillo Sultanov is taking care of the grave of Khodja Azizan Ali ar Romitani. He is well educated person, knows a lot about Quran and Sufism in general.
There are beautiful gardens around the graves of Khodja Makhmud Anjir Fagnavi and Khodja Mukhammad Baba as-Sammasi. Those two sufis were workers and their followers continue to look after gardens, recalling the words of Bahau-d Din An Nakshbandi: "Dil ba yoru, dast ba kor" (meaning, "The heart to beloved (Allah), and the hand to work").
Khanako (sufis' temple)
Khanako (sufis' temple) — is the place where sufis gathered together to talk, to discuss about Allah, Quran, Path, Love in this place. Some of them lived there, because they didn't have a home or family, they just wondering around the world. You will visit medieval khonako where people during the centuries get treatment with water from the holy sources next to the Sufis graves.
The women Sufi’s khonako Kiz Bibi, where 40 virgins lived and where woman can get treatment from barrenness. Visiting of Hodja Ubbon Mausoleum, Hodja Zaffaron’s Tomb in the desert places.
Bukhara is the city where many thinkers, scientists, theologians, and poets lived. One of them is Abu Ali ibn Sina (Avicenna). He is the author of many interesting works in the field of medicine, psychology, mathematics, logic, physics, music, poetry, zoology. "Canon of Medicine" is his greatest creation. Al-Hasan al-Basri is theorist, psychologist, who preached the selfless love of God. It was his distinguishing feature of Sufi ideology.
There are seven sacred Sufies in Bukhara. As a rule the tour starts from the grave of Sheikh Abdul-Khaliq Abd Al Gijduvani, who founded School of the Central Asian Sufism. He always took a view that every imam must have his own job. There is Ulugbek madrasah near the new mosque, where pilgrims can pray.
Muhammad Arif Ar Revgary began to learn Sufizm very early. When he was 19, he taught philosophy. His manuscript "Nafahat ul-uns" and "Arifnoma" are the only written evidences about the life of the famous Sufi. Having read his works, it is clear that Haja Arif Revgary was one of the most worthy successor of traditions and practices “Hadzhagana”.
Hoja Mahmud Anzhir Fagnavy was a famous Sufi of his time. He was engaged in gardening. Fagnavy was the spiritual successor of Sufi tradition. He was an expert at his job carpenter thereby earning his living. There is a beautiful mausoleum not far from the grave, as well as a mosque and a well with holy water. It is very popular place with pilgrims where they can pray.
One of the most famous spiritual leaders is Hoja Azizona (Ali Romitani). He is also known as Azizon (Honourable Sheikh). He was born in 1195 in Kurgan and worked as weaver. Thanks to him, the Mongol khans accepted Islam, believing that they are miracle-worker.
The next road leads to the tomb of the great Sufi al Bobo Samosi, who predicted the birth of Bahauddin Naqshbandi. Bobo al Samosi said: “It will take quite some time, and his fragrance will spread all over the world”. Today the tomb of St. Babai Simasi is a place of worship for hundreds of thousands Muslims from all over the world.
Mausoleum Said Amir al Kupol is located in the village Suhor. The building is a mosque, mausoleum and flower garden. “Kupol” means “Potter” as he was an expert at this craft.
The tour is finished by the visiting of Bahauddin Naqshbandi mausoleum, whose birth was predicted by Bobo Samosi. Naqshbandi was born in 1318 in the villageHinduvan. As a spiritual teacher, he was a supporter of austerity. He said that the Sufi had to make a living exclusively by work. Bahauddin owned several professions: weaver, potter and carver in wood. Many tramps followed his example, and thanks to him, they began to earn a living by craft.
Today, there is the majestic mausoleum here. This place is still visited by thousands of pilgrims. According to legend, if you touch the memorial three times, a visit of the holy place is equal to “hajj” to Mecca.
Start pilgrimage to Seven Sufi scholars burial places, all of them are located at the outskirts of Bukhara. Visit the tomb of Abduholiq Gijduvaniy (1103-1179) located in the town of Gijduvan (40 km from Bukhara). Continue to the tomb of the fourth apprentice of Abduholiq Gijduvaniy Khoja Muhammad Orif Ar Revgariy known as Hazrat Khoja Orif Mohitobon (died in 1259). This holy site is located in the district of Shofirkon, 50-60 km from the centre of Bukhara. Continue to the burial site of Hodja Mahmud Anjir Fagnaviy (died in 1286).
Continue to Mausoleum of Khoja Ali Rometaniy located in Rometan district. He was the apprentice of Khoja Mahmud Anjir Fagnaviy (died in 1310, in some sources in 1321). Visit to burial place of Hodja Mukhammad Boboyi Samosiy (1259-1354), an apprentice of Hodja Ali Rometaniy.
Continue to the next holy site – tomb of Hazreti Said Mir Kulol (1287-1370). The last pilgrimage place is the holiest ensemble of Bukhara, the burial place of Hazrati Bahauddin Naqshbandi – the founder of Naqshbandiya Order, located in the village of Qasri Orifon.
- Transport service on comfortable tourist class vehicle (a certain type of vehicle is provided depending on the group size);
- English speaking guide during the entire itinerary (for the group of 8 pax and more);
- Entrance tickets to the museums, mausoleums and other sights ;
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- Personal items;
- Full board (lunch and dinner);
- Travel insurance;
- Accommodation.