Swanky Sultan Saodat Complex

Or nifty necropolis, depending on your allegiance to alliteration obsessions. This group of understated mausoleums belongs to the family Sayyids. There are about 120 graves, mostly from the 9th to the 16th centuries. The lack of decoration is due to the site being reserved for holy men only, not family members who might have wanted a bit of tile bling. Brown is the new black.

Heading in, a straightforward layout of buildings.

Depending on the play of light, looking a little like a Native American Pueblo complex. OK, some tile work snuck into the place.

A small, simple mosque is included.

The graves in the various mausoleums have a nice symmetry.

Building for the future. Just outside the complex and random ruins, a large mosque is under construction.

The Sheikhantaur And Kaldyrgach Bey Mausoleums

Hidden in the modern metropolis of downtown Tashkent are a couple of cute mausoleums, tucked into the area that is now part of the International Islamic Academy campus. Seems about right.

Behold ancient architecture! Actually, a ceremonial gate to the academy. Looks the part.

Here's the mausoleum for Sheikh Hovendj Tahur, a 14th century Sufi saint. The tomb dates to about 1360. It's a small, simple design, the standard beige brick with a couple of iconic blue tiled domes.

The first room inside contains the grave of Sheikhantaur with a large, dead trunk of a Saur tree, supposedly placed there in the 1930s. Impressive.

Moving farther inside the mausoleum, there's a smaller room with two tombs, for Sheikhantaur's wife and son. Right behind the Sheikhantaur mausoleum is an equally small, humble building, dedicated to Kaldyrgach Bey. One unique feature is the 12-sided cone atop the structure.

Inside the nicely decorated (heavily restored after the 1966 earthquake) building is the tomb of Kaldyrgach Bey. Or is it? Some scholars argue that it's the tomb of Töle Biy. Thank god for the google and its endless clarity sorting out such matters.

Historic Muslim Sites In Namangan

A classic madrasa and a classic mausoleum are tucked into an old neighborhood of Namangan in the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan. Well worth a look.

Here's the pretty facade of the Mullah Kyrgyz madrasa, named after its architect, Usto Kyrgyz. Its classic lines belie its age. Built in 1910.

The Soviets closed it during their occupation. It's been recently restored and is now used as a museum, cultural center and crafts area. Care for a small chair or long tunic? Past the entrance gate, an open, octagonal courtyard. Relaxing.

Down the road from the madrasa sits the big cube mausoleum of Khodjamni Kabri. This structure is a bit older than the madrasa, built around 1720.

Inside, intricate painting, Arabic calligraphy and a dome. 

The mausoleum sits next to an active mosque, quiet before services.

Details Of The Old Chinese Cemetery In Manila

You've seen the big mausoleums, now let's take a look at some of the details of the cemetery.

Paying homage. People come for birthdays, anniversaries. The big day to visit is All Saints' Day, Day of the Dead (November 1).

More than a mausoleum. Many plots feature sinks, toilets, kitchens. The concept is: come hang out. Awhile. All that real estate needs upkeep, so you hire a staff to come in and keep it spiffy.

Beyond mausoleums, plenty of large graves, crammed in like a big metropolis.

Mausoleum turnover. While in progress, a dog to guard the renovation. The saddest sight, the crypt of a child, complete with weekly offerings of juice, snacks.

Typical mausoleum patina, foundation for a nice still life.

Paying Respects At Wat Nikrodharam

In addition to coming to pray at the main temple, one of the busier activities at Wat Nikrodharam is honoring loved ones who have died. There's a mausoleum with a large area of tables out front. Pay your respects inside, bring a big feast as an offering and have a little ceremony.

The mausoleum.

Most people have pictures on their space. It's a fast ID to place the age of the person who died and when. A lot of young people are included. On the left, a young woman in her vintage '60's finest look. On the right, tragedy, a child. The juice box offering makes it even sadder.

Prayers at the front of the mausoleum.

The place is busy. Families gather, put out a big spread and pray.

Some of the mausoleum spaces are see-through, showing an urn and other cherished items.