Kurgan-Tube, located in Tajikistan, is one of the oldest cities in this country. It is located in the upper area of the Vakhsh valley. The distance to Dushanbe is only 100 kilometers.
The city in ancient times
There is information that Kurgan-Tube was founded in the 4th century AD. In the old days these lands were called Huttal. As for the town located here, it was called Vakhsh in those days.
Kurgan-Tube today
Today, Tajiks pronounce the name of the city as Kurgon-Teppa. There are many interesting places with a rich history. Near the city found a large number of antiquities, which are sent to museums in Tajikistan and other countries. These findings are very valuable exhibits. At present, Kurgan-Tube is a developing city. However, local residents also observe the ancient Tajik traditions. In the region there are a lot of various enterprises, schools, universities, shops, service centers and hotels. In addition, on the outskirts of the city there is a railway station and the airport Kurgan-Tube.
Museum of Local Lore
The local history and local history museum deserves special attention - this is the most interesting place located here. There are more than 700 valuable exhibits in it. In particular, the museum has dioramas "Rastai kosibon", as well as "Teppai Kurgon". Considering them, you can learn a lot of curious about the Vakhsh valley and the foundation of the city. Also, all tourists are advised to get acquainted with the exposition, which reflects the national traditions of the Tajiks and their crafts: here are items made of copper and wood, ceramics, kashtaduzi, choyshab, embroidery on the material.
Buddhist monastery (Ajina-Tepe)
Guests of the city must necessarily visit an amazing place, where the ruins of a Buddhist monastery of the 7th-8th centuries are located. To get to the hill called Ajina-Tepe, located to the east of the city, you need only 12 kilometers to go. Here are found sanctuaries, stupas, images on the walls, cells, statues. The most interesting finding is the sculpture of the reclining Buddha, whose length reaches 12 meters. In 1961, archaeologists arrived and excavations began, during which more than 500 pieces of art were discovered: statues, reliefs, wall paintings from the cult and living rooms of the monastery. Scientists who visited Kurgan-Tube, came to the conclusion that this building included two parts, namely the monastery and the temple. In addition, there was a pair of rectangular courtyards around which towered buildings and thick walls. In one of them was located the Great Stupa. This is a place to store valuable items or designate cult buildings. At the edges of the courtyard were small stupas of a similar shape. The monastery was incredibly beautiful, the vaults and walls of it were decorated with paintings. Today everyone who lives in the city of Kurgan-Tyube can be proud of this former magnificence and imagine how wonderful it was here in ancient times. There were niches in the walls, where small and large Buddha figures stood. Most of the sculptures in Ajina-Tepe were dedicated to him. The most interesting finding was a giant Buddha statue made of clay, discovered in 1966 in the corridor of the building. It should be noted that only its bottom is preserved, from the waist to the foot. The top was in a terrible state. Some parts of this sculpture are found separately.
Chiluchor Chashma
The name of this place, located near Kurgan-Tube, is translated as "Forty-four sources". Perhaps every resident of Tajikistan and nearby Uzbekistan knows about him. Here, near the hill, in the heart of the sunny desert, several broad springs spring out from under the earth, spreading over 39 smaller ones. All sources, joining in one, form a rivulet, the width of which is 12-13 meters. There are a lot of fish here. There is a legend that the Caliph Ali, having noticed the dried up river called Romit, reached Chiluchor Chashma and begged Allah to give him some water. At this time, he hit the ground near the hill, and in the place where his hand touched the soil, several transparent springs appeared. Chiluchor Chashmu annually visits many tourists and pilgrims. People pray, make ablutions, dip into springs, bring sacrifices. There is an opinion that water in these springs is able to heal from diseases.
There is also a small elevation on which stands a low mausoleum. Inside is supposedly the body of a saint named Kambar Bobo. According to legend, he courted the horses of Caliph Ali. In addition, there are burials of several other saints in this place, but no one knows their names.
In the photo, Kurgan-Tube looks rather interesting, that's why many people looking at the pictures are excited by the desire to come here. It's good that today it is quite easy to do it - you just need to get ready and buy tickets for the plane. Visiting this magnificent city once, you can not forget it.