The sanctuary of Iydali – the residence of sufis and seids –Iydali (the Sanctuary of seids), located nearby Shahtahty village of Kengerly region, belongs to II-I millenium BC and is considered a monument to stone and water deities in which people trusted. In spite of the fact that the sanctuary is mentioned in written sources very seldom, local population and inhabitants of nearby villages still tell unpublished legends about this wonderful place. For example, they say that Shah Ismail had not casually selected the sanctuary as the camp before battle on Sharur plain in 1501 - is was connected with ancient history, positive aura and salutary properties of this place, and also that this dwelling place of sufies was connected with the name of Hazreti Ali. There are even such legends according to which resoluteness with which the 7-thousand army of Ismail attacked 30-thousand army of the opponent, there was a firm confidence of a victory which has appeared after him spending the night in a sanctuary of Iydali. However, in scientific sources there are no written proofs and acknowledgement of that Shah Ismail spent the night in a sanctuary – all it exists only in the form of legends. However, according to the people well familiar with district, and also researchers of battles of an epoch of the Middle Ages, the sanctuary of Iydali was the most favorable place for supervision over the territory named Sharur plain, and also for transition to defense or retreat at an emergency situation. Since many years it has been a place for which the local population has special belief and love and makes pilgrimage. Here, as in the well-known place of pilgrimage "Eshabi-Kahf", people come with problems and hoping their dreams will come true. They make sacrifices and threw small stones at rocks. If the stone remained in a rock the person believed that its dream will come true. Then this custom of throwing stones was replaced by ignition of candles which is carried out till present. According to old residents of village, the sanctuary of Iydali was repeatedly put on trial, then nobody doubted in its sanctity. We would like to remind that the pilgrimage place is located in 2 kilometers from modern village Shahtahty on the side of a hill towards Arax, and the hill is surrounded by rocks. In places like the caves located under rocky ledges, till now it is possible to find shelter from rain, wind and snow, and also to spend the night – a few people easily can get in there simultaneously. Along with that the hill top represents an ideal place for safe placing of any camp, there is a wonderful view here: everything is clearly visible from all four parts, including settlements on both coast of Arax and sowing fields. On a hill there are three tombs, and the rest 12 (significant figure for Shiits) underground water pipes are located around, and some of them still flow into Arax. Let"s note that the turning of village Shahtahty into oleaster and starting to be called «the sanctuary of Iydali» was connected with the fact that these places were settled down as dwelling place of suifes and that also confirm the events which have occurred later and about which K.N.Simonov wrote – that originating the family tree from grandson of Hazreti Ali – Imam Zejnalabdin and moved in considerable quantities from region Hijaz – Mecca and Medina to Iran – Khurasan, and therefrom in Nahchyvan seids have for ever chosen these earths as the native land. In general, historical documents also confirm that in the second period of settling of village Shahtahty the big role played three persons – three heads of tribes: Isa Sultan I, Juzbashi Muhammad Rza bey, and Mir Abdulla aga (nickname «Big seid». According to the decree of the Russian tsar, at separate registration of beys, sultans, akhunds, mullahs, сеидов and the priests, carried out in Nahchyvan in 1842, in the list for Shahtahty village there was noted names of one bey – Huseyn bey Mamed Rza, one seid – Mir Abdulla Aga Mir Magomed and one sultan – Mashadi Tagi Sultan Haji Isa Sultan. By the way, at cameralistic census of 1831 from 43 families in Shahtahty 19 have been registered as "Chamshidli" of a tribe of Kjangjarli concerning a branch, led by Juzbashi Mamed Rza bey Imamgulu. And the Mir Abdulla Aga is the founder of the first seid dynasty in Shahtahty. Mentioned in the list as father Meshadi Tagi of Sultan Haji Isa Sultan, who later has changed a surname to Shahtahtinsky, is considered head of the known tribe.

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