Gul'dzhikova Ainur Zharylgasinovna

Aktau College of Transport and Communications named after M.Tynyshbaev

History of underground mosques in the Mangystau region

For history-lovers in Mangystau region there are several underground mosques nearby with exhibits that reflect the ancient history of the region in Mangystau. The entire region has preserved eleven thousand historical and natural sites that deserve attention. The Mangystau region of Kazakhstan officially reported 362 holy places, with one of the most revered Muslim shrines of the entire country - an underground mosque called "Becket-Ata".

Necropolis and underground mosque Shopan-Ata, located on the track of the old caravan route from Mangyshlak in Khorezm, located about 60 km from town Zhana-Ozen in the direction of the north-east. In the south-western part traveler can find an underground mosque and tomb Shopan-Ata, and ancient tombs built perhaps Oguz-Kipchak tribes who lived here periodically for 10-13th centuries mosque-tomb Shopan-Ata cut in the array rock. It was built with the aim of turning it into a religious center of the region, as evidenced by the developed part of the premises. The central position is occupied by a rectangular room. Sloping staircase located in the southwestern corner of the room leads upstairs. The burial chamber, which according to legend is buried himself Shopan Ata significantly recessed into the body of the rock - a small vaulted room. In the northeastern corner of the mosque is a room where according to legend is the grave of his daughter.

The underground mosque Sultan Epe is located in the Gulf of Sarytas. According to the legend, he is known as the author of the chronicle "Bahrgani". One day his father called him, but he was late and explained his delay in that he helped to people in sinking ship. Father did not believe in spite of the fact that his son showed his back with traces of rope he pulled the ship. So Sultan Epe left his home and built an underground mosque, and also became the patron of victims of water. "Sultan Epe, save and protect us" as his name is mentioned people who are in trouble in water. According to historical sources it is known that he lived in the 13-14 centuries.

An underground mosque Sultan Epe is an ancient holy place of worship for the locals.

The underground mosque Shakpak-Ata is located on the Peninsula of Tub-Karagan and 20 km north-west of the village Tauchik. The interior of the mosque has no elements of decoration. The walls are covered with niche portal and multi-temporal inscriptions contour images of horses, bulls, open palm. In 1975, 81-year-old resident of the village said Shair folk tradition that Shakpak-ata not the name of the founder of the mosque, and the nickname given to him because in battles with enemies from his arms like sparks from flint Shakpak-Tas. This caused panic among the enemy, and they fled in panic from the battlefield. So, according to legend, the founder of the mosque Shakpak-Ata lived in kipchak period 14-15 centuries penetration time and the consolidation of the Muslim religion in the region. 

The underground mosque Beket-ata Oglandy is the mst famous in the region. According to popular legend, and written sources Beket-Ata was born in 1750, in his youth he studied in a madrasah in Khiva, became a Sufi and began to teach children to read; different herculean strength and battles with kalmyks made many feats. In solving problems with the Turkmens showed wisdom both parties to an agreement, lived to a ripe old age, died around 1813, was buried in the tract near Oglandy he built an underground mosque. In areas of seasonal pastures they built four mosques in Beyneu Ak Mosque on the Emba, Ustiurt near the Aral Sea, and in Oglandy. Of these, the largest is the mosque in Oglandy. The first room - the lobby, lit by a skylight deep, punched in the center of the domed ceiling. On the west side of the lobby is the prayer hall with the mihrab on the south wall, and on the south-east two rooms, one of them buried Beket-ata. Mosque Beket-ata Oglandy considered a holy place, and for many years was a place of pilgrimage for people of Mangyshlak 

Masaty-ata underground mosque is in Mangystau region. This famous place is found in historical sources about the Mangystau. There are many folk tales about Masaty-ata. In one of the folk legends refers to the ability of Masaty-ata fly. And another about the legend that when Masaty-ata perform namaz, the enemy caught him off guard, stealing cut off his head. And nature, as it were indignant this insidious act, responded that the earth began to melt, despite the fact that Masaty-ata was without a head, he got up and took a few steps on the molten rock of the printed traces and tracks of his horse.