Norak

NORAK THE CITY OF ILLUMINATION

A brief historical information about of the city. Norak is an ancient area. According to the datas of the history-writers, it has the root in the far away past history. In Bobojon Ghafurov’s book “Tajiks” it is told, that people used to live here in the Stone Age. Norak “village” has a history of 2500 years. In this regard, one can be aware from some historical and literary sources. By the establishment of the Government of the Soviet Union in 1920-1930, the new signs of life emerged in this part of country. Those years, the USSR young hydropower plant engineers had shown the interest in the construction of the hydroelectric power station in Norak city. At the end of 1960, the Council of Ministers of the USSR has adopted a resolution on the construction of the HP station of Norak and the construction of the biggest Hydropower Plant station of Norak in Central Asia has been started. The same year, in the place of Tutqavul, Norak, Langar and Sabur villages there have been started the construction work. On December 21, 1960, by the Order of the Presidium of  Supreme Soviet of the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic Norak was given the City’s Administrative Law and the city has obtained a hydropower plant of Norak. Glory to this water-power plant, there have been built the large enterprises, the lay lands of Yovon and Danghara have been irrigated, for the development of the light industry, nutrition and agriculture in the republic there have been provided a favorable condition. This large-scale construction site has been constructed by almost 50 nations and more, than 200 domestic cities and cities out of the country. After the construction of the HPS in Norak, there has been constructed the HPS of Boyghozi park in Vaksh river. Norak as a city of the power-men is located on the bank of Vakhsh river, its area is 394.5 square kilometers. Its distance is far from the center of the city to the capital of the country – Dushanbe city about 64 km and from the center of Khatlon region – Bokhtar city, about 130 km. Presently there are 59.2 thousand inhabitants live in Norak, which consist of the different nationalities. From this number, there are 28837 women and 30356 men. The city has 39 villages and blocks. There are village councils of Puli Sangin and Dukoni in the territory of the city and more than 100 organizations, administrations and enterprises are active there.

            Attractive travelling areas. Daily the guests from all parts of the country and foreign countries honor Norak city with their visit. At first they go to see Norak’s water-power plant and its dam. Giving for use the largest HPS in Asian content – Norak water-power plant, that in terms of construction and might is considered a unique engineering and hydroelectric acquisition in the world, has clearly proven the preeminence and importance of the use of water as a source of power of the electricity.

            Also, among the mountains, that hug Norak, Nor mountain is the highest (174 meter) and most fascinating mountain and probably its name has a relation to Norak. Another one is Sanduq mountain, that according to the legends, after the invasion of the enemies, the people of Norak placed their wealth in a sanduq (chest) and put it under that mountain. Till now no one has found that chest full of gold and pearl, and according to the today’s thoughts, this mine of treasure is this Water-power plant, which is considered as a national wealth. There are historical monuments like “The tomb of Mawlana Mirzo Yusuf”, “Khojai Surkhpush” (the master with red clothes), “Sheikh Abdulhay”, “Amiri Buzurg” (The Great Emir), and etc in Norak city, that these monuments have got the chance of being under archaeological researches.

            Infrastructure service of the city. Service in the hotels of “Sayora” and “USSR” is provided according to contemporary world’s requirements. The national and European meals are there served for the guests in “Sayora” canteen. The hotel has 90 bedrooms. In particular: 30 rooms with the special conditions  of  “Luxury”, 15 rooms with the special conditions  of  “half-Luxury”, 45 rooms with the simple living standards are furnished for the service of the clients. There is also a medical sanatorium “Puli Sangin” (the Stone Bridge) located on the bank of the river Vakhsh, which is decorated up to the requirements of the tourists and fits nowadays’ requirements. The sanatorium consists of the hall for welcoming guests, the swimming pools, 3 apartments on the bank of the river, the sports-grounds, a billiard hall, the small electric cars for traveling around the sanatorium, a hippodrome with the horses of small type species and special carts along with the entertainment centers. The design of sanatorium apartments fit the requirements of the modern hotels and has the best standards of living.

                    In the two banks of Vakhsh river, there have been built private sanatoriums with a modern design, which daily welcome the guests, especially in the summer, providing for them a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.

         Also, there are 2 passenger terminals designed with the modern conditions, available and serve the customers round-the-clock in the territory of the city and the lines of Norak-Dushanbe and Norak-Bokhtar (the center of Khatlon region).

         The markets named “Somoni” and “Sayora” are always active to offer fresh vegetables, nutrition and clothing products, the necessary goods and essential items of consumers, five modern bathhouses, sewing sections and the barber’s saloon to the customers.

            Folk craftsmanship and skills. People of Norak city had been busy with the folk craftsmanship of needlework, the arts of painting on the materials for the needlework; wooden made dishes, wooden made musical instruments and making shoes from the ancient time and they develop this craftsmanship till the present. Norak’s skilled ladies nowadays can make various types of the needlework on the man’s cap, pillows and waist-belts, small and big pillows, modern designed dresses; they are skilled in embroidering with the golden color threads, like: woman’s embroidered caps and pillows; good enough in the arts of painting on the materials for the needlework; in working with the small pieces of materials, like: sewing pillows, mattresses and blankets, woman’s bags, various types of waist belts, decorated dresses for girls and so on. During the celebrations of the national festivals, the girls wearing similar clothes, with much pleasure and enjoyment, demonstrate “Chakan” (Khatlon region’s type of the needlework) their pillows and other handwork.

            The glorious and hospitable people of the brighten Norak city, who are famous for their special hospitability and the unique and fascinating nature of their location, undoubtedly can attract the interest of every biker and tourist.

            The particularities of the city. Originally Norak is known for its largest hydroelectric power station of Norak, which Central Asia doesn’t have any similar one. The nature with its uniqueness, the beautiful water-fall and reservoir of the HPS of Norak are much fascinating and many domestic and foreign tourists enjoy of seeing them.