Standing alone in a remote spot amongst the Kopet Dagh mountain range, is Parau Bibi, one of the most revered pilgrim sites in Turkmenistan
Overlooking the small desert village of Paraw a far cry from the outrageous splendour of Ashgabat, a hell of a climb up a mountain, though in fairness the government have gone and built some concrete steps, 269 of them if you are asking, notwithstanding that by the time I reached the top I was still sweating like a blind lesbian in a fishmongers
At the top a mosque has been built adjacent to the cave wherein Parawbibi hid before.....
A fairy tale A Turkmenic Legend
Parawbibi was a beautiful girl a pious untouched virgin who lived in the village; who because of this was betrayed by her fellow villagers and offered to a band of approaching enemy tribes as a sacrifice to buy their own safety
She escaped and hid in the mountains and started to pray to her chosen omnipotent being, lordy lordy all of a sudden a rock opened she entered it and it closed behind her hiding her for all eternity.
Revered since as the patroness of pregnant women and children in Turkmen mythology. I guess that is why most of those making the climb were of the fairer sex, they travel from all over Turkmenistan to pray for beauty,(a lot of failures) good husbands,( luck or judgement?) children,(plenty of jiggy jiggy) and a safe, easy labour during childbirth (don't hold your breath for that, put your faith in gas and air).
Creawling into the small cave where she hid, a shrine with a mirror and combs, for young women who enter to prey to sit and comb their hair in devout rememberence of one Parawbibi.
Oh and a collection box for donations; Kerchiing!
Alongside the path, many trees covered in scraps of clothes and fabric placed there by women in thanks for their children
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