Paraw Bibi was the pre-Islamic goddess of fertility. It's believed that she dwelled in a cave at the top of this walk. Nowadays, this has become a shrine for Muslim women. © UncorneredMarket.com
After Turkmenbashi converted from Communism and embraced Islam in the 1990s, he made his pilgrimage to Mecca. Rumor has it that he returned from Saudi Arabia with $10 billion in aid from the government...As most Turkmens do not have the opportunity to travel to Mecca, Sparmyrat Hajii Mosque was built in Geok-Depe (outside Ashgabat) to offer an alternative pilgrimage site. Like most buildings in Ashgabat, it's an elaborate affair.
If you can't make it to Mecca for a pilgrimage, try Sparmyrat Hajii Mosque outside of Ashgabat instead. © UncorneredMarket.com
