Chilpyk Tower of Silence, a photo from Nukus, West

Photographer's Note

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Starting a revisit to the west of Uzbekistan and the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan, listed as Nukus on TE. It is an area under represented on TE and especially the 3 locations that I'm going to take you to.
First up is Chilpyk, a Zoroastrian burial site that no one else on TE seems to have visited. The Zoroastrian religion predated Christianity, Judaism and Islam and was the first religion with just one god. They used this, the Tower Of Silence, to lay out their dead for birds of prey to clean the bodies up and purify them.
After some time the bones were collected and buried in earthenware vessels.
The structure is made of dried mud and is 15m high with a diameter of 65m. It was originally another 10m higher but the occasional rain is wearing it down. The walk up that path that you can see is steep but not excessive. There are great views across the desert and towards a river from the top.
This is a new but very different version of one I've previously posted.

Fis2, holmertz, PaulVDV, PaulVDV, jean113, jhm, PiotrF, macjake, adramad, ecmel, worldcitizen has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (220577) 2020-06-22 20:36

Ciao Ian, great view of fantastic rock formation, wonderful natural colors, splendid light, excellent clarity and fine details, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

jemaflor (146274) 2020-06-22 22:49

Hi Ian,
Impressive and photogenic hill, well framed, good quality, pleasant warm colors, tfs.

lousat (138599) 2020-06-22 23:18

Hi Ian,i been in Uzbekistan but not there,so your post is very interesting for me too! Interesting note and a great way to take this show,imposing perspective in the best light and brigthness,very well done! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

emka (157280) 2020-06-22 23:46

Hello Ian, It looks very similar to such a tower in Yazd.
I was not there, but I was in Nukus and an area around it. I am looking forward to seeing what you have seen there.
Excellent presentation. Have you been on top? Sure :).
best regards MAlgo

pajaran (114891) 2020-06-23 0:31

Pozdrav.
Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lepo mesto.
Interesantano tradicionalno sahranjivanje ljudi.
Lepo pokazano.
Zelim vam lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje.
Paja.

Fis2 (169709) 2020-06-23 0:41

Witaj Lan!
A very interesting object, view makes impression.
Good framing, colors and sharpness.
Well done.
Good evening.
Krzysztof

holmertz (101980) 2020-06-23 1:19

Hello Ian,
This is very similar to the earlier photo but from a slightly different angle. But it is such a spectacular place that it's well worth another look. There are probably no Zoroastrians left here, otherwise it would seem a bit disrespectful to build an antenna on this sacred structure.
Best regards,
Gert

kasianowak (17672) 2020-06-23 4:15

Hi Ian
I like the composition, good use of complementary colours.
Unfortunately I didn't have time to visit Chilpyk during my short trip to Karakalpakstan and have seen towers of silence in Iran only so this is a very interesting post for me. Thanks for the useful notes.
Best wishes
Kasia

rychem (72187) 2020-06-23 7:06

It is really an amazing place, I have never seen a photo of this burial tower, a very good photo
regards Ryszard

PaulVDV (62802) 2020-06-23 8:46

Hello Ian,
Here the tower almost looks like a natural rock wall.
Beautifully presented with the path that runs diagonally upwards.
I heard of the Zoroastrianism in Iran and in Mumbai.
So this religion was also practiced in Uzbekistan.
Best regards, Paul

GyurMaster (24668) 2020-06-23 9:40

Hello Ian,

Seems like an interesting place. I don't know if I ever saw something similar shaped by the nature.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

jean113 (27637) 2020-06-23 9:52

Hello Ian, I had never heard about this place and the practice that used The Tower of Silence. TE at its best!
It is an amazing lump of rock. Your point of view emphasises the steep hill and the path to the top.
Excellent sharp shot.
Very good informative notes.
Kind regards, Jean.

jhm (211734) 2020-06-23 10:23

Hello Ian,

You show us a lovely picture with gold colours
You chose a perfect angle with depth and perspective.
Lovely sharp and clear photographed.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

PiotrF (54246) 2020-06-23 13:12

Hello Ian,
An interesting landscape from this place with amazing rock formation.Interesting and unique place. I like good composition and wonderful color.
Fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr

Tue (91564) 2020-06-23 13:47

Hello Ian,
Wow, what a fascinating photo of this amazing rock formation and the much gentler slopes leading up to it. The yellow tones of the foreground look great in this bright light and make a good contrast with the blue sky.
Lars

mkamionka (73344) 2020-06-24 10:56

Hi Ian,
I thought you are showing us a little brother of Uluru, but I see different country.
We hear some talking about special "channels" for this year summer holidays. For example citizens of certain countries may be allowed to visit chosen countries or destinations.
So my second thought here was that may be Australia has this sort of channel with Uzbekistan, but I see it is an older photo.
That is such a beautiful country to visit. I look forward to see the rest of the reportage,
M

macjake (98262) 2020-06-25 10:17

Hi Ian
I know Malgo has been to such a sight, but is it THIS one, or did she visit one in a different near-by country? is it possible to go to the top? it would be great to fly my drone here. but i'm sure having a drone in these countries is a HUGE no no and quite illegal. anyways. great subjects, cool to see something so unique. cheers
Craig

adramad (72558) 2020-06-26 11:58

Hello Ian.
This mountain is really curious, as it finishes off its top with what looks like a giant cake, a good contrast of colors and light management.
Have a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

ecmel (1770) 2020-06-30 0:26

Hello Ian,
Perfect capture this very interesting place from an excellent point of view.Thanks for sharing.
Best regards, Ecmel

worldcitizen (15956) 2020-07-02 17:13

Hello Ian,
Thanks for showing us this very interesting structure. It blends in well with the surrounding landscape, and all the earthy colors look very nice together with the blue sky. Your note is interesting, too.