Translated, the "Saparmyrat Hajji" was constructed in the early 1990's it is a prominent land mark in the city, commissioned in memory of the defenders of Gökdepe Fortress. We saw the monument in Ashgabat in an earlier post.
The Battle of Gökdepe in January 1881 was the decisive, brutal climax of the Russian Empire's conquest where up to 14,500 defenders and civilians were slaughtered. The victory solidified Russian control over the region
The mosque was opened in 1995 and named in honour of President of Turkmenistan Saparmyrat Nyýazow's Hajj and features on 10,000 manat banknote; which no longer exists as due to a reshuffle of their currency would make its value at over £2k, imagine popping into the shop to buy a packet of crisps and a newspaper and expecting change.
After a wander around the outside, ventured inside, it was quite sterile, but nicely cold. A big open place. Apparently a praying session can take upto an hour, you would think they would provide some chairs to sit on.
The interior of the mosque is a square hall, the walls embossed with motifs of what is said to be representations of traditional Turkmen carpets.
The whole complex, like every such building in the city was immaculately clean
Taking a well earned rest
The carpeted floor is able to accommodate 8,000 worshippers, segregated of course in this mysoginist religion.
A chandelier with 260 lamps hangs from the centre dome, I didn't count them life is too short.
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