Until recently this Mahallah (neighbourhood) was thriving. Most of Khiva's blind community lived here, conveniently located close to the mosque where they would often beg. However during restoration the mahallah was torn down to provide a clearer view of the Pakhlavan Mahmoud mausoleum.
These houses have been replaced by a garden which gives a fascinating glimpse into Khiva's farming practices. During winter vines, pomegranate and fig trees are buried and the entire area looks bare and dead. However at Navrus, the Zoroastrian New Year in March, the plants are unearthed and new seeds begin to grow. By May the Khorezm sun transforms the garden into a mini-oasis, with fruit trees already groaning with their first of two summer harvests.