Afghanistan: Mazar-i-Sharif – White Doves at Blue Mosque

A unique feature of the Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif is the presence of thousands of white doves, considered sacred. Local legend claims any colored dove entering the mosque complex turns pure white after 40 days, symbolizing its sanctity. The doves have been a feature of the mosque for centuries. And there are supposedly over 3000 of them around the mosque. The doves are most active at dawn and dusk, you can feed them by hand.