Pilgrims Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

Another relic on top of theKhajeh mountain from the post-Islamic period is the tomb of ' Khajeh Mehdi-ibn-Mohammad Khalifeh' a descendent of Imam Ali (AS). About 1200 years ago ,Khajeh Mehdi who was heading to Sistan along with a caravan , was killed by some brigands near this mountain.

Today before reaching to the shrine of Khajeh Mehdi, some people pass 2 other pilgrimage sites - located on top of the mountain too- named 'Khajeh Qaltan' and 'Peer Gandom Beryan' doing special customs like vowing the wheat.

Inside the shrine of Khajeh Mehdi, as you see in the shot, the people turn around its special tomb for respect. I had seen different kinds of tombs before, but this one was really strange to me. I was standing there and didn't know if I was allowed to take a picture or not . Suddenly a woman in her black " chador" -like the women in the shot- asked me to take photos . Her words made me happy but then I thought maybe in such religious places , the people need more concentration , so didn't want to disturb them and just took few shots as fast as I could! this shot is one of them.
*
The outside view of the shrine is available in the WS.

Mrfish33, saeed, mapek61, AlvaroGuijarro, dareco, stego, BWJ, shevchenko, Dyerco, noborders, siolaw, mamcg, danos, sweet_universe has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

saeed (32) 2008-10-22 1:48

salam Atousa
Actually this tomb is different , simple & clerical.
TFS
Saeed

kschanna (2634) 2008-10-22 4:52

Salam Atousa,

The tomb is very simple and humble, no ornate glasswork on the inside, instead chalkwalled and decorated with khata'ti. What I can instantly relate to is the green which is found across Pakistan in almost all maqbara's of sufi dervershes.

You said you took this shot in a hurry amongst others, I think its composed really well with the donation box placed on the right. I guess there wasnt much that could be done about the blown out roshan daan's.

Thanks for sharing

Kamran

mapek61 (3927) 2008-10-22 5:12

Salam Atousa
An interesting habit, unknown place, a good shot. An interesting description. I like that.
Yours
Marek

AlvaroGuijarro (288) 2008-10-22 5:16

Color, vida, respeto y adoración. Has cogido un momento muy especial, muy lleno de movimiento. La luz es fantástica porque destaca cada detalle. El enfoque, inmejorable.
Además, algo que me gusta también de la foto, las diferentes expresiones de las personas.

Gracias, Atousa
Álvaro

dareco (17104) 2008-10-22 6:07

A very interesting post, and I enjoyed seeing the workshop as well. Unique! A very good capture, I like the expressions and the colors are wonderful. TFS

stego (22350) 2008-10-23 11:24

Hi Atousa,
I am pretty sure that this must be a rare photo, considering that even you were not sure if it was allowed to photograph such scene. An it is as intriguing as it is unique. On one hand, it's a bit surprising that a place seems to be so revered looks so humble, but after all, the faith of people is much more relevant than the material grandeur of places of worship.
It isn't not perfect technically, it's remarkable well considering the situation. The mix of the black of the chador covered women, the white of the men's cloths, the red and green of the rugs of the walls makes it very interesting colour wise. I certainly have visited much less Muslim tombs than you (a couple in Turkey and one in India), but this is different from any of them.
The WS is very effective showing the place from outside. You chose a very good POV and did a great framing.
Regards, José.

BWJ (1771) 2008-10-23 19:01

Hello Atousa,
Your note is so interesting and gives the perfect atmosphere for this excellent shot of the people visiting the special tomb. POV, bright clear contrast of colors and the lighting are very fine. Well done.
Kind regards,
Betty

mafegan (4107) 2008-10-26 16:02

Hello Atousa
Thanks for sharing this shrine scene and only on trekearth can we experience such images. Marlene

sayat (2944) 2008-10-27 3:31

Selam Atousa!

I think the man standing on the right is not that happy abour your taking pictures :)

Both shots are very informative and beautiful. The simle yet strong colors reflect the religious atmosphere so well. The variations of the expressions that you captured is amazing. Thanks for sharing.

shevchenko (9858) 2008-10-28 0:58

Hi Atousa,
Lively with many believers crowd at a narrow space and busy with their praying works, interesting with posters on the wall, is it portrait of Khajeh Mehdi? Distinct indoor image, thanks for sharing.
Ally

Dyerco (9008) 2008-10-29 7:33

Hi Atousa
It is indeed a different kind of tomb. Without your explanation it would be difficult to determine what these people were doing.
TFS
Phil

kevinos (6927) 2008-10-30 21:22

You have a very interesting document and a nicely framed image with a strong mood. regards kevin

noborders (14199) 2008-10-31 3:14

Salam Atousa, I'm always so more interested by photos of people and specially the ones from Iran which are not very common on TE !

Such an interesting crowd and great to see that at least at some places of worship, men and women are not kept separate (like in Mashad etc) - it would have been difficult practically anyway...

Love the face of the woman on the right : splendid !
Please, post more photos of your countrymates, I'm starving for it and miss Iran so much !

Best regards,
Cath.

siolaw (25720) 2008-11-07 23:00

Salam Atousa! Chetoor Asti?
That is an interesting view of inside the shrine with excellent exposure (i don't see any shadowss... Did you use a flash??)and clear details and colors. An interesting note too. Would they ask a foreigner to take photos too? ;)
Greetings
Laurent

danos (32170) 2009-01-17 3:48

Hello Atousa,
here is a rare snapshot from your country that we don't see very often in TE.I like the pilgrims that exist in the interior of the shrine of Khajeh Mehdiand.The WS completes the spherical knowledge about this holy man.Well done.

Have a nice weekend,Danos

sweet_universe (1693) 2009-01-20 5:55

Ciao Atousa!
As usual, your pics (and the superb note) show us an important face of iranian village daily life.
I think that knowledge and respect of traditions is the only way to have peace in all the world.
TFS
Marco