Hilvet Underground Mosque

The Turkistan Province is of great historical importance for the Muslims of Kazakhstan and Central Asia, since numeruos holy Islamic sites are situated here. And the Hilvet Underground Mosque is one of them, located near the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.

At the age of 63, Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a famous Sufi and a poet, descended to this underground abode. He renounced worldly goods, and prayed incessantly.

There is a hall for prayers, halls for ritual ceremonies, as well as a small room located at a depth of 4 meters. A visit to Hilvet doesn't mean becoming a recluse, but helps to spend some time alone with God.The Hilvet Underground Mosque plays an important role in the cultural and religious identity of pilgrims who regularly come to Turkistan.