Katex
| Katex | |
|---|---|
| Municipality | |
  Katex | |
| Coordinates: 41°38′40″N 46°32′32″E / 41.64444°N 46.54222°ECoordinates: 41°38′40″N 46°32′32″E / 41.64444°N 46.54222°E | |
| Country |
 Azerbaijan |
| Rayon | Balakan |
| Population [citation needed] | |
| • Total | 7,432 |
| Time zone | AZT (UTC+4) |
| • Summer (DST) | AZT (UTC+5) |
Katex [Katekh] (also, Gədıx [gyadıkh] Katekh, and Katekhi; Avar: КIатIихъ) is a charming village at the foot of Caucasian mountains and the most populous municipality, except for the capital Balakən, in the Balakan Rayon of Azerbaijan. The village takes its name from Turkic gədik (which is in local dialect sounds like gədıx) for nearby mountain passageway, which has been used for centuries to cross Caucasian mountains from its northern side to Southern. The name Gədıx is still used by older generation of local population, whereas the new and/or unfamiliar with local custom people use 'modernised' name. The name was changed to Katekh ( older period Katekhi) probably during short period in 1918-1921 when Katex was the part of Georgian Democratic Republic.
Zagatala Nature Reserve at the north of the village is a popular turist destination, and has picturesque waterfall Katex, a local favourite spot.
Street Geybulla ( in local dialect Gayvalı) is a place of 17th century mosque, in Soviet times served as a warehouse for storing various agricultural products: tobacco leaves, grain etc.
Katekh also is a home to Sofu Baba Pir, a sacred destination, situated at the entrance to the village, which is said to be a burial place of a Sufi sheikh. Local population still practices modified zikr (dhikr) of Naqshbandi order during local and family festivities.
The village has a population of 7,432. The municipality consists of the villages of Katex and Beretbinə.[1]
