Place: The Sacred Spring, Balykchy, Kyrgyzstan
Praying and washing at the sacred spring
Nearly every car driving the mountain pass stopped, the passengers disembarking to wash and pray at the spring.
Description
Atop a mountain pass in Kyrgyzstan, between the village of Chong Kemin and the town of Balykchy, lies a sacred spring. The spring flows year-round from the mountain, and nearly all passersby stop to wash in and drink from its waters. Many tie scraps of cloth as prayer rags to the surrounding trees. I was told that the waters of the spring bring good health, and that to wash and pray at the spring brings good fortune. The two times I stopped at the spring, it was attended by a sad but regal-looking dog, who apparently survives off handouts from those stopping at the spring.
(No street address given)
Balykchy, Ysyk-Köl Oblasty, KG
Discovered by Jane Keeler
on 24 February 2008.
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