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Bakharden
Underground Lake
The Bakharden Underground lake Kow Ata is an unusual natural
site in the biggest cave of the Kopetdag mountains, located
about 107 km south-west of Ashgabat. The Turkmen name
Kov-Ata means "father of caves". At a first glance, this
underground area looks like a magnificent auditorium :
the overall length of the cave is 230 m, its height goes
up to 20 m, and its width is at some points 57 m. Daylight
only enters the "ante chamber" of the cave. As you approach
the lake you feel the air becoming damper and warmer.
You can hear sounds like sighs or whispers above your
head. These are bats. It was considered one of the largest
colony of bats in the ex Soviet Union. The lake is located
at a depth of 52 m from the entrance on a vertical line.
The lake is 72m long and 30 m wide. The water has a constant
temperature 33-37 C. Chemical analysis has shown that
water contains a complex combination of chemical elements.
The cave is open daily from 9.00 AM till 6.00 PM.
There is a wonderful and unique cave with a national name
- Kov - Ata, 91 km from Ashgabat. The length of it is
220 m, the breads - 50 m, the height - 20 m. The majestic
lake is situated at the bottom of the cave. The water
temperature is permanent - 36C. The length of the lake
is 80 m. This place is old and unusual, hence it has become
legendary. One of the beautiful legends tells: "Many
years ago two young people intensely loved each other.
Being afraid of their parent's wrath they fled from their
houses. Their parents decided to find them and vigorously
punish. When the chase mostly got these unhappy loving
couple, they knelt in front of a huge rock and began to
pray. The strength of their love and belief was so deep
that the rock opened and the loving couple hid in it.
Awful flying monsters appeared out of the cave and frightened
the chasers".
This cave impresses with its greatness - 266 steps lead
into it. During the way down tourists have an opportunity
to admire marvelous crystal clusters of stalactites and
see bat's bevies. Kov -Ata cave is very popular among
the tourists. It is surrounded by tourist complex, which
consisted of restaurant and cafes. The lake is available
all the year round because of constant temperature of
water and air inside.
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