Peaks and Caves of Suleiman Mountain

Suleiman Mountain is a five-headed limestone remnant that measures 1140 meters long by 569 meters wide, located at an altitude of over 1000 meters above sea level in the southeastern part of the Fergana Valley, in the historic center of Osh.

The first peak of the mountain is called Suleiman Chokusu (sometimes known as Buura, meaning “camel”), with a height of 1162 meters. Here there is a hudjra, or small cell-like room, belonging to Emperor Babur, as well as famous stones, Bel-Tash and Kol-Tash (or Beshik-Tash, as it is also called). There is also the most mysterious cave of Chaka-Tamaar, which means “dripping”, which can only be reached by crawling. Not everyone dares to crawl into the depths of the cave.

The second peak, Shor Choku, is 1141 metres high and is named for the salt deposits at the top of the mountain. In the 1960s, the salt at the peak was treated with reagents sprayed from a helicopter, and Jannat (“paradise”) Aryk, or channel, which skirts the foot of the mountain on the south side, was completely filled in. All this was done in order to prohibit pilgrimages to the mountain.

The third peak is Rushan Chokusu, which stands 1175 metres high. This is the highest peak of Suleiman Mountain, and on its slope is a famous cave museum. The crest of the mountain here is extremely sharp, so it is said to resemble the Sirat Bridge in Islam, thin as a hair and sharp as a sword blade, through which souls enter paradise. Tepe and Eshen caves are located here.

The fourth peak, Kattama-Tash, is 1145 meters high, and resembles layered stones. It shares its name with kattama, a delicious layered bread popular throughout the region.

The fifth peak is split in two parts, named Kelinchek (“daughter-in-law”), or Eer-Too, which resembles a saddle in shape, and Keklik Uchar, which means “the peak where partridges fly.” Its height is 1119 meters.