Shaman-stone on Baikal: stories and legends

One of the most famous natural monuments of the Baikal National Park is the Shaman-stone located at the sources of the Angara. It is a recognized symbol of the great lake, sometimes called the "lonely char". It divides the Angara River and Lake Baikal.

In clear weather, only its top is visible above the water, which protrudes by one and a half meters. Under the water is a rock massif. Thanks to him the Angara does not freeze in winter. In a huge polynya, which stretches for almost fifteen kilometers, nest about fifteen thousand waterfowl. In North Asia this is the only non-freezing winter.

Location:

If you go to one of the two sites near the shore, which are located near the Vampilov Stone and the Stone of Chersky, you can see that the Shaman-stone is a single rock, dividing the waters of the Angara into two parts.

Geographical position of the stone: the source of the river. Hangars, about half a kilometer from the conventional alignment. Coordinates: 51 ° 52'18.65 "s. W. 104 ° 49'14.89 "in. Etc. This tiny island, left here from the Primorsky range, which in ancient times washed away the Angara, is a very popular place on Lake Baikal. Shaman-stone has a large rock foundation, which forms a threshold in front of the depths of Lake Baikal.

This stone is surrounded by waters, and for today one unrealized attempt on it can be considered a version of the explosion, made to fill the reservoir of the Irkutsk HPP.

What is known about the stone?

The history of the Shaman-stone (on Lake Baikal) is shrouded in many legends. It is known that it served as a cult haven, where prayer ceremonies were conducted by Buryat shamans. For a long time he was a kind of "oath" place. They sent people suspected of treason or lying. Most often the wrong wives came here. The local people firmly believed that a person who had told untruth on this stone would be punished for sin.

Confirmation of these facts can be found in the works of German historian GF Miller, who described Siberia in the XVIII century. Some researchers suggest that the existing legend of the amazing movement of this stone is a direct confirmation that ancient people could be witnesses of some geological cataclysms occurring on the shores of Lake Baikal. First of all, this concerns catastrophes, as a result of which new drains from the lake appeared, and old ones, for example, in the Buguldeika or Kultuk areas, overlapped.

Legend

Shaman-stone, whose photo you see below, from the ancient times evoked interest of local residents. The shamans conducted mysterious rites here. The indigenous people believed that Ama Sagan Noion, the master of the Angara, lived here. All this was reflected in numerous legends and legends, which are gladly told by the old residents of these places. Below we will present one of the most beautiful and romantic of them.

This happened in those ancient times, when in the world lived valiant heroes and mighty warriors. At that time Baikal was great and rich. He was revered and respected. And he had a daughter called Angara. Before the unearthly beauty of the girl all bowed. Baikal loved and indulged his only child. And Angara meanwhile grew proud and self-willed.

Irkut

Years passed, and it was time to choose the beautiful husband. It was in the summer, on the eve of the holiday, Surkharban. The great Baikal summoned the bogatyrs from all the surrounding villages so that they could face courage and strength and try to win the heart of his daughter. Among the contenders there was also one who was especially fond of the father of the bride - a handsome hero, Irkut.

Yenisei

But no laudatory words of Baikal in his address found a response in the heart of his daughter. At last the holiday came, the bogatyrs agreed to measure their strength, and saw among them the Angara Yenisei, the son of the mighty Sayan. He was the strongest, adroit, his valor and courage conquered the heart of the beauty.

But Baikal remained dissatisfied with the choice of his daughter and did not give his consent to this marriage. The young had to part. Days and nights the father persuaded his favorite to marry a strong and courageous Irkut. However, the daughter remained adamant. In anger, Baikal imprisoned her, and after a while he reported that he had agreed to Irkut for marriage.

Escape from bondage

And then Angara decided to flee. She turned for help to her younger brothers - the brooks, which blurred the wall of the dungeon. Proud Angara broke free. Enraged Baikal demanded that the fugitive return. At that time, a terrible wind rose over the earth, lightning flashed, and the thunder peals shook everything around. The animals and birds were looking for shelter in fear.

Following the Angara, the giant Yenisei rushed. And at that time the lightning, like a splinter, split the old mountain. Baikal picked up a fragment of the mountain and threw it after an unruly daughter to block her way. But did not have time - Angara was already near the Yenisei, and he picked her up in his arms. From that very moment they are inseparable. All the tears of joy and sorrow that the Baikal, Angara, Yenisei and Irkut wept turned into water currents. A piece of the same rock, which the enraged Baikal threw after his daughter, since then people know how Shaman-stone. The legend says that if Baikal becomes very angry, it will wash away water with a stone and flood the whole world.

In order not to anger Baykal, local residents brought various offerings for a long time, but now they throw coins into the water. Another legend, more precisely, the legend, says that if you look long at the rock, you can see the faces of the shamans who, in olden days, held mysterious rites here. For several years the shaman-stone on Lake Baikal has been destroyed, and local old people see this as a bad sign.

This amazing natural monument is not only a witness to the past of the peoples of Lake Baikal. Shaman-stone is a certain mystical component of these places. If you have the opportunity to visit these places, visit the famous stone, appreciate the beauty of local landscapes, listen to numerous legends. By the way, today anyone who will visit the excursion to Listvyanka village can see the legendary rock. There is a well-equipped observation deck, which offers an excellent view of the stone.