Chiluсhor Chashma (Tajik. Forty-four springs) – known in Tajikistan and neighboring regions of Uzbekistan, a place of pilgrimage for Muslims, where from the foot of a small hill, in a desert arid area, five relatively large water sources flow from the ground, breaking into 39 smaller ones. Water from all sources forms a river, which people transformed into a channel width of 12-13 m. in the upper part of the river directly at the sources lives and breeds a large number of fish (genus Marinka (Schizothorax) family Cyprinidae, which are considered sacred. They are strictly forbidden to catch and eat. According to local legends, people who violated the ban died. Cold-loving Marinka do not go down the river, preferring to stay at the cool sources. The outlet of the springs at the foot of the hill is surrounded by trees (in particular, willows and mulberries), forming a small but wonderful oasis. Ripe mulberry berries, falling into the water, like to eat fish.
Among the local population there is a legend about the appearance of these springs. When Hazrat Ali was in this area, preaching a new faith for the local population-Islam, the nearby river Romit dried up. Ali then cursed the river, called her Kofarnihon.
Having reached the location of the present Chiluchor Chashma, Hazret Ali, offering prayers to Allah with a request to give water, stuck four fingers into the rock, after which four pure springs burst out of it, which are the core of the revered group of springs.
People visiting Chiluchor Chashma perform prayers, ablutions, sacrifices, bathe in the springs. It is believed that the water of 17 springs is healing. Each of them has its own local name and healing purpose.
On the hill, from the foot of which springs flow, there is a mausoleum with a long tombstone. According to local legends, a Saint named Kambar Bobo is buried in it, who, according to legend, was the stable of Hazrat Ali and cared for his legendary horse Dul-Dul. Pilgrims make a ritual circumambulation of the tombstone. Nearby are the graves of four other saints, whose names are unknown.
