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By Conrad Prabhu

Prophet Ayoub's shrine atop the verdant Jabal Ittin summit.

Balmy weather conditions and picture-postcard natural beauty have been Salalah's greatest strengths as a summer tourist destination. But coupled with its rich historical legacy, as seen in the numerous ancient religious shrines and historical sites, the region makes for an irresistible holiday for both nature lovers and history buffs alike.

History abounds in the Dhofar region, harking back many millennia to the time when camel caravans and intrepid seafarers plied the fabled routes to Mesapotamia, Egypt and China and grew rich on the back of the lucrative frankincense trade. Enriching this historical heritage are also accounts of prophets who travelled to the region on camel and horse back to take up residence amid the magical monsoon beauty of Dhofar.

They are central figures in the region's rich religious and historical legacy, which today adds to the region's allure as a superb holiday destination. Indeed, no tour of this delectable holiday getaway is complete without a visit to Salalah's famous mausoleums, some of which boast a rich antiquity.

The best known of these is the tomb of Prophet Ayoub nestling on one of the many summits of the Jabal Qara mountain range. During the khareef season the shrine attracts thousands of visitors, who either come to pay homage to a great figure of pre-Islamic times, or merely for the glimpse of the remains of a man revered in history for his monumental gifts of fortitude and patience. This popular tourist attraction is located within easy driving distance of Salalah city. To get there, visitors choose the short 20-minute ride past the sprawling Ittin Plain to the summit of Jabal Ittin where the shrine is located. The ascent is steep in places, and even hazardous when it rains, prompting authorities to issue regular advisories about the perils of driving along these treacherous, fog-bound slopes. But to the cautious motorist the climb is well worth the effort. For, indeed the jabals are a world away from the rest of Oman. An exuberant green blankets the mountains, shrouded as they are in swirling mists amid a mild tropical setting that is a far cry from the heat and swelter besetting the rest of the country.

The scenery is simply breathtaking along the route to the summit, but thick fog banks can momentarily obscure these picturesque landscapes disappointing photographers looking to take snapshots of the jabals' stunning beauty. At times, visibility is reduced to just a few metres, creating ghostly silhouettes of trees and the odd house dotting the route to the summit.

Dominating these splendid landscapes is the hilltop mausoleum of Prophet Ayoub, which attracts a steady flow of visitors around the year. He is believed to have lived during the 15-16th century, and died at the age of 92. Local lore is rich with accounts of the many acts of religious fervour, humility and piety that marked the prophet's life in Salalah.

Mausoleum of Prophet Omran in downtown Salalah

Salim bin Ahmed al Kathiri, the Omani caretaker of the shrine, also doubles as its unofficial tour guide. The 70-year-old part-time camel-herder, who has watched over the shrine for the past two decades, delights visitors life of the prophet and his legendary piety. A piece of rock at the entrance to the tomb, bearing the prophet's footprint along with the print of a horse's hoof, attests to the holy man's devoutness, says Al Kathiri. The story goes that Ayoub, who prayed fervently for the gift of water, had his petition answered by God. Stepping off his horse, water issued forth from the ground where he set his foot. A footprint was left in the rock as well. Ayoub and his wife lived close to the spring until the prophet's death, says the caretaker. Visitors linger in the serene settings of the shrine to savour the solitude that perhaps drew Ayoub to these parts many centuries ago. Legend also has it that another spring located close to the tomb was used by Ayoub to heal himself of all ailments. The remains of an ancient mosque, with the mihrab set in the direction of the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, also stands next to the tomb. Accentuating these tranquil surroundings is a fine heritage of trees, some believed to be of significant antiquity.

Samples of Dhofar's rich historical legacy preserved at the Salalah Museum

On a clear day, the shrine affords unrivalled views of the surrounding landscape, and even the plains of Salalah and the city beyond. Antiquity can also be found in the heart of old Salalah where a once obscure shrine is becoming one of the hottest attractions in the Dhofar region. The shrine houses a mass of rock that bears the imprints of a camel's footsteps. Riding that camel was Prophet Saleh on his first visit to Salalah, it is said.

The shrine was first uncovered by a builder when excavating the foundation of his house. Some jewellery and other treasures were also reported to have been found stashed nearby. Downtown Salalah is also home to the shrine of Prophet Omran, which features a unique 30-metre-long mausoleum. It is housed in a splendid garden and attracts scores of visitors and the faithful. The Wilayat of Mirbat is also famous for its collection of ancient tombs of Imams who lived as far back as 556 AH. Notable is Bin Ali's mosque located just outside Mirbat town. The onion-shaped domes of the tomb are characteristic of old mosques and mausoleums found in the Dhofar region, and the Hadhramaut area of Yemen.

Oman Observer, 20th July 2002