Sarahs Baba – The Father of Sarahs

About This Destination

The Mausoleum of Abul Fazl Sarahsi, known with reverence as Sarahs Baba (“Father of Sarahs”), stands as a thousand-year-old monument of devotion and learning in the border city of Sarahs, in southern Turkmenistan, near the frontier with Iran. It is one of the key sites of the “Silk Road Monuments of Turkmenistan”, with Old Sarahs, the Mele Hairam temple, and other relics currently listed on the UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List.

History

The Saint and His Legacy The name Sarahs Baba derives from Abul Fazl Sarahsi, meaning “Abul Fazl from Sarahs.” He was a Sufi scholar and spiritual teacher, whose wisdom attracted students from all over the Islamic world. Among his most famous disciples was Mane Baba (Abu Seyit), who himself became a revered saint. His followers built the mausoleum over his tomb to honor his memory — a gesture that reflects not only religious respect, but also deep cultural reverence for his role as a teacher and guide. Architecture The mausoleum lies 1.5 km southeast of modern Sarahs, on the site believed to mark the grave of Sarahs Baba. It is an architectural rarity unlike any other structure in Khorezm or Dehistan. The building consists of a rectangular chamber with walls up to 2.5 meters thick, made of baked brick and clay. Inside, narrow corridors and staircases lead upward in unexpected ways, giving the visitor a sense of spiritual ascension. Each step through these passages reveals a different perspective of the building, symbolizing the Sufi path toward enlightenment. Sarahs — The Golden Age of Knowledge When the mausoleum was constructed, Sarahs was flourishing as a center of science and art. It was a hub of architecture, astronomy, mathematics, physics, geometry, and theology — attracting scholars, artists, and merchants from across the Silk Road. Caravans stopped here to exchange goods, while students came to seek wisdom from its masters. Today, the ancient residential area of Sarahs, dating back more than 2,500 years, serves as a cemetery and archaeological site. Nearby, the ruins of the Sarahs Fortress, half-buried in sand yet majestic on its open eastern side, remind visitors of the city’s ancient glory. Though centuries have passed, the spirit of Sarahs Baba continues to echo across the desert winds — a timeless call to faith, knowledge, and remembrance.

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