Asia

[Visited: February 2022]

After visiting Ordubad and the spectacularly located fortress of Alinja Gala, my day is still not over and I am on my way west - back towards the city of Nakhchivan. The road is better than I had expected, and when a rocky mountain appears in front of me, I know that I am getting close to my last destination of the day. Even though the road was empty, I see a collection of cars and even a bus at the large parking lot - much larger than at the foot of the Alinja Gala fortress I have seen just before. Then I remember: this is a place for pilgrims. Tens of thousands come here, also from abroad, to visit this place. It is sacred because a long time ago, religious men were hiding here from persecution because of their religious beliefs. This is featured in the Quran (chapter 18), which has made this more than just a legend.
In fact, when I walk up the stone stairs towards the mountain of Ashabi Kahf, I see a big signboard on my left where those particular Quranic verses are shown. Unfortunately, the text is in Azeri, so I cannot read it. On my way up, I see a man on his knees in front of a small cave on the left. Praying, with his head towards the cave. He seems unaware of what is happening around him. I walk the easy stairs into what is a dark valley between rocky mountains. It is chilly here, and I see patches of snow. What seems to be the end of the walkway, actually is not. There is a very narrow opening between rocks, and people squeeze themselves through. I follow suit, but have to push my backpack separately, for I don't want to get stuck here. The stairs continue in what looks like a dark tunnel under rocks, and then I reach a small open space between the boulders.
On my right is a blue staircase, but I take a left. I find what looks like a small square, with a few trees, and a small mosque. When I look inside the men's section, I see a man on a red carpet, saying his prayers, his shoes at the edge of the carpet. I walk up the stairs, and reach a cave where I assume those who were persecuted for their religion many years ago, went into hiding. Many small cairns are standing at the entrance of what is otherwise a bare cave. Pilgrims are making it up the stairs to the cave when I am already on my way down. I see a meteorite, which apparently came down in the vicinity, and walk the blue stairs. I see a frozen waterfall, and reach what is an open space between the boulders. Some are blackened by smoke. No cairns here, and not one pilgrim to be seen. I do see colourful scarves tied to small poles though. I make my way down, out of the canyon, and meet a member of parliament on the stairs.

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Ashabi Kahf (Azerbaijan)

Ashabi Kahf > Azerbaijan > Asia

[Visited: February 2022]

Around the World in 80 Clicks