Khanqah Village

Khanqah Village belongs to the Central District of Paveh County in Kermanshah Province. It is one of the historic and tourist villages of the Oramanat region, lying about two to three kilometres south and southwest of the city of Paveh, between the Dalani and Atashgah mountains. The village sits in a mountainous area among fruit orchards and is surrounded on all four sides by nature and the orchards around it. Its origins are attributed to the reign of Yazdegerd III of the Sasanian dynasty, and the old Howzkhaneh building inside the village is also considered a sign of its historical age. With its terraced architecture, traditional houses, numerous alleys and passageways, and mountain scenery, Khanqah is a valuable example of the rural fabric of Hawraman. Its name is also linked to the history of this place as one of the ancient centres of mysticism, Sufism, and the presence of dervishes and Sufis.

The village's terraced, compact layout is one of Khanqah's most important features. The old houses are built mainly from local materials such as stone, wood and earth, and in some parts the roof of one house serves as the courtyard of another. The village's many old covered passageways are another architectural feature, and some of them still survive in their traditional form. The houses facing Atashgah Mountain, the walnut, pear, pomegranate, fig and mulberry orchards, and springs such as Shalam Nao, Hamrula, Hana Sheikh Hassan, Biyar, Harzalu and Gara add to the village's natural appeal. The people of Khanqah speak Kurdish in the Hawrami dialect, and orchard keeping, farming and animal husbandry are among their traditional activities, alongside handicrafts. Giveh weaving (traditional footwear), felt-making, kilim weaving, mouj weaving and jajim weaving, as well as the production of dairy products, traditional breads and cookies, and orchard fruits, are among the village's cultural and economic assets. Nowruz and Yalda Night celebrations, religious festivals, local games, mawlud recitation and local music also form part of Khanqah's living culture.

To reach Khanqah Village, head south and southwest from the city of Paveh and, after a short drive, you arrive at the village. The access road is drivable by car, and the short distance from Paveh makes it possible to visit on a day trip. Spring and summer are the best times to travel to Khanqah; in these seasons the weather in the village is mild and pleasant, and the orchards, highlands, springs and surrounding vegetation are at their most beautiful. Autumn, with its varied colours of nature, is also appealing to photography enthusiasts, and the village's cold, snowy winters show a different face of Khanqah. During your visit, please avoid entering orchards and village houses without permission, do not leave litter in nature or around the springs, do not damage the vegetation, and respect the peace and privacy of the residents.