Savalan

WhenThe Savalan Snows, Ended The Resurrection Will Happen

It is said that, when the snows of Savalan finished, the resurrection will happen. Mount Savalan is the holiest mount of Iran. It is said that there is a holy tomb in top of Savalan, and people believe that the tomb belongs to prophet Zoroaster.

Zacaria Qazvini writs: Holly Zoroaster was from SHeez (a town beside the lake Urmia) he went to Savalan and secluded himself and brought Avesta (holy scriptures). William Jackson the auther of “Zoroaster the prophet of ancient Iran”, writes in his itinerary: “In my idea, Savalan is the same mount that Zoroaster went there to pray silently to God ( AHoura Mazda).

Also it is said that prophet holy Mohammad was asked a bout Savalan  and holy Mohammad replied that: Savalan is a mountain between Azarbaijan and Armenia and there is a holy spring from paradise and there is a prophet tomb. Also holy prophet has said: Svalan is one of the mountains of paradise.

■ Savalan a mount from paradise

Native people believe that Savalan is one of the seven mounts of paradise. They  say that: In old times, there was a town with sinful and aggressive people. God sent a prophet to guide them, but they kept on their sinful way. So God wanted the angels to put one of the heaven mountains on the city and when the prophet and his followers were in out of city, angels put the mount on the city and Savalan is the same mount.

■ Savalan a holy mountain

Dr. Mohammad Mir shokraii believes that holiness is a cultural matter which has two reasons: firstly, there is holy tomb and shrine.

Secondly, there are old and relegious beliefs about nature and mountain.

He says: there are artificial traditions around Savalan like: tombs towers, castles and three written stons related to Orarthoi period found near Sarab and a fire temple related to Sassanian period. Also there are many stories and beliefs and customs about Savalan and it’s different parts (like tophills, vallys, craggies and stons) that have remained in native people minds. So the holiness of Savalan mostly relates to second reason.

■ Swear on Savalan

It is said that one of the signs of holiness is sweaing on it. The name of Savalan is one of the most important oaths of native people and Shahsavan tribesmen. They swear on sultan Savalan. This people believe that when they swear on Savalan name, the snakes give up hunting.

■ Sultan Savalan

The sultan or Savalan hilltop that the whole mount is called with this name is the highest hilltop of Savalan, and most of beliefs belong to this hilltop. There is a lake in this hilltop. Golamreza saedi says: “as an open eye, it looks the horizons of heaven and when pilgrims reach the top of Savalan, they prustrat on lake to worship God.” The lake is covered with ice most of the months, and it is said that when the ices break a glorious eddy appears, and takes to it’s dark and invisible depth whatever is on the lake. There is a narration that an old man’s rod falls in the lake. Some years later he sees his rod in the Karbala (holy city in Iraq) in another’s hand. He gives the sign of his rod and takes it back and asks the man how he found it and he Says that he has taken it from Forat (ariver in Iraq). This story is narrated in diffrent ways a bout mineral waters. But here the important point is the mutual holiness in Savalan and Karbala.

■ Folk beliefs

It is said that every dawn a cock’s crow is heared in top of the Savalan and in same time three small springs appear. The first one in saffron- colour and sweeter than sherbet, the second milk – white and decenter than milk and the third one is in water colour and purer than tears. But these springs aren’t seen except by pures. Also it is said that prophet Solomon has put a ruby bowl in one side of lake and if you look carefully you will see the bowl and if you have pure faith and mind the bowl comes up and you can drink the water of life.

The second hill of Savalan named Haram (meaning Shrine) and it has a sing of holiness. People believe that just ,women are allowed to visit this hill and men should not climb it or go to the shrine. Even pregnant women to have probable boy baby should not go there.

■ Natural attraction of Savalan

There are two kinds of attraction in Savalan: natural attraction and historical attraction. High volcanic mountain, magnificent rolling hills, vertile valleys and craggies and well climate, are the signs of natural abilities of area to attract tourists. Mineral waters are the most important attraction of area. There are 13 mineral springs which contain, Sulphur, Carbon, Clorat, Gas free and Gassy drinkable water. The springs are important as oil resources. These springs are in six areas: Sarain- Nir- Sardabeh- Arjestan-Moneel- Lahroud.

These areas are unique because of the planty of mineral springs, not only in Iran but also in all over of the world. Among artificial and natural lakes that are in this area the SHorabil lake has an especial importance. It’s water was very salty till 1995 and it’s marines were limited to salty water orghanisms like Artemia and Roteria, but nowadays Balkho river is Iined towards lake and it causes decrease the rate of salt, so it is possible to have troun fish and other kinds of fish in this lake.

The volcanic hill of Savalan has given an especial glory to the area and it is important in the world from the view of climbing it’s icelands. In summers thousands of intreasted people and athletes go there and enjoy it’s natural gifts. Savalan mount rang is in south- east of Meshkinshahr and 25 kms to it. It’s highest hill is Sultan Savalan. After Damavand, it is the most famous mount in Iran. It’s charming nature is a sample of it’s creature.

■ Meshkinshahr Geographical Position

In north- west of Iran and 839 kms to Tehran. This area has a mountainous temperate climate.

■ Climate Conditions

The average minimum temperature of Meshkinshahr is 5-9 c (40- 46 F) In months of winter it is about -2, -4. the average of moisture differes in winter and summer the average maximum is 41-59 percent in cold months, and average minimum 63-71 percent. Rain full average is 361,2 milm (14) and this rate reaches to 59/3 milm in spring months, and in summer 18/4- 1/3 milm.

Wind rate 6/8 ms and the average of cloudy days is 86 days in year. Minimum of sunny days belongs to cold months (February 143, 9 hours) and maximum of sunny days in summer (Agu 270/1 hours).The average of sandy days is 6 days in year.

■ Suitable time to travel

Information about climate and freezing days is useful for travellers and tourists. In cold months full snowy hights has an especial attraction for intreasted people and athletes. Light clothIng is suitable in summer but a top coat is necessary in spring and fall, a warm coat in winter.

■ Warm Waters

From Ardebil you can go to Sarain about 29 kms on the west road. It’s minerals are:Qamish Goil- Sari sou- Gahveh soui- Abecheshm- Qara Sou- Jheneral soui- Pahnlu- Safasoui- Besh Baji lar Near to Ardebil is the Sardabeh or Sardava mineral which is useful for patients affected with jaundice. Other minerals:

• Borjlu and Gainajeh warm springs in Nir.

• Bileh Darag mineral

• Khalkhal warm spring

• Meshkin shahr warm springs

■ Gainarjeh warm Spring

It is 15 kms to Meshkinshahr and in south road. This Spring is classified with clororsodic or cloror Hyptionc gassy and very warm springs. This spring is very useful for the cure of Lanfatism- Rashitism Feminine diseases and Lumbago. Because of it’s high temperature, it is used as a quieter, anti swelling, facilitates of breathing and anti pain.

■ Qouter Soui Warm Spring

This spring is one of the most famous springs of Meshkinshahr and Savalan area. It is in south of Lahroud and 48 kms to Meshkinshahr (south of it). The temperature of water in the pool and center of spring is 41°c. This spring is classified with solphot Calsic and sodic minerals and it is used for cure of arteries and skin disease and it is useful for chronic Bronchitis- swelling and acne- spasmodic coughs Muscular spasms and joint Pains. The Qouter soui spring is the top of carative minerals and because of having SH2 and 38 °c  temprature, it has an especial Condition among other springs of area.

Recorded researches about SH2 show that it has an affection on skin. It penetrates in the skin and influences on the blood motion, in the same time it causes the opening of blood- vessels (vasodilation) and increases blood in the veins. Resultly the motion of blood facilitates in vessels also the immunity system increases by coming many bloods.

■ Elatlow Warm Spring

In south and 11 kms to Meshkinshahr, it boils from earth. It is classified in cloro solphat bicarbonate calsic gassy and warm minerals. Because of high temperature, it is quiter of common pains and useful for relaxation, and because of having Bicarbonate and solphat it is using for cure of breathing and digestion diseases- feminine diseases and skin diseases.

■ Shabil warm spring

It boils from earth in south and 27 kms to Meshkinshahr. It is in foot of a hill. It’s temprature in center is 48 . surfacely it is pure- colour less and some acid. It is classified with Bicarbonate acid or Bicarbonat Sodic minerals. Because of high rate of carbonic Acid it is using for cure of motional and neural diseases.

●Doubedou (dou dou) warm spring

●Moeel warm spring

●Agsou warm spring

●Malek soui warm spring