Bukhara: Day 75 to 78

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After Samarkand, I headed to Bukhara, again by train, but this time a fast train. Very comfortable and modern train and I enjoyed the journey.

Bukhara, a city that is a few thousand years old is smaller than Samarkand but has a specific charm that is difficult to explain. But the city spells magic as soon as you step into it.

I first visited the Bukhara Tower for a sunset view of the city and then followed it with a visit to the Bolo Hauz Mosque at the time of the prayers.

The Kalon Minaret and Mosques were a sight to behold both during the day but even better during the sunset and evenings. Kalon Mosque is the second largest mosque in Uzbekistan. I also learnt that Genghis Khan did not destroy the Minaret because he was enamored by its beauty. This Minaret, also has a dark history because in ancient times, criminals were tossed from it as a punishment.

I visited Chor Minor, a four Minaret structure where each Minaret has a different design and is said to represent a different religion.

The Ark of Bukhara, probably the most photographed structure in Bukhara was a unique space, made even more special because there was a Bukhara Night Race going on around it when I visited and families were all participating in runs around it.

The Sitorai Mokhi Khosa Palace or the Summer Palace was the palace of the Emir of Bukhara for the summer season. While he stayed in the Ark of Bukhara during winters, this was his abode during summer. The story is that to find the coldest place in Bukhara, they put sheep carcasses across a few places in Bukhara and the location of the summer palace is where the meat didn't turn bad even after a few days and hence that was the location picked for the summer palace. The architecture at the Summer Palace, the collection of vases, the gardens were opulent and a sign of the prosperity of Bukhara.

Overall, Bukhara, smaller than Samarkand has a magnetism that is hard to deny. It's clearly my favourite place in Uzbekistan.

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Photos

Bukhara Sunset
Bukhara Sunset from the tower

Kalon Mosque
Kalon Mosque in the evening

Bolo Hauz Mosque
Bolo Hauz Mosque

Kalon Minaret
Kalon Minaret

Pink Stones are rare
Pink Stones are rare to find

Bukhara Ark
Bukhara Ark lit up for the night race

Madrassah of Nadrid Divan-begi
Madrassah of Nadrid Divan-begi

Chor Minor
Chor Minor (in Hindi we will call it Char Minar)

Summer Palace
Sitorai Mokhi Khosa Palace or the Summer Palace

Ornate rooms of Summer Palace
Ornate rooms of Summer Palace

Vase collection at Summer Palace
Japanese and Chinese vase collection at the Summer Palace

Opulent rooms at Summer Palace
Opulent rooms at the Summer Palace