Sabalan A Paradise Mountain

Sabalan
A Paradise Mountain

Mount Sabalan, Iran

Azarbaijan plateau is a mountainous area located to the northwest of the Iranian plateau. Ardebil province is situated to the east of the plateau.
Due to its mountainous terrain and being situated en route Mediterranean air currents, Ardebil has regions covered with snow nine months a year and various springs.
According to Persian daily Iran, the huge and volcanic Mount Sabalan comprises several mountains such as Saein, Narmiq and Qooshadagh. Sabalan is cone-shaped. The main summit of the mountain (4,811 meters) ranks second after Damavand.
Sabalan is also called ’Savalan’ in Azari language. This mountain range has been of paramount importance since a long time ago. The people of Ardebil have been viewed as very brave since the time Aryans migrated to Persia.
Sabalan’s history has been full of ups and downs. The grandeur of Sabalan has been outlined in the folkloric literature of the people of Azarbaijan. One version of the folkloric literature of the region cites Sabalan as one of the seven large mountains of paradise. History also recalls that mausoleums of many pious men and a few prophets are located in Ardebil. It is said that over 2,000 years ago prophets climbed the mount for the purpose of fulfilling their rituals and praying. This is why a large number of nomadic tribes and villagers climb the mount all the way up to its summit every year in order to pray and thank the God Almighty for His blessings.
In the eyes of the regional people, especially local tribesmen, Sabalan is not just a summer resort or a pasture, but rather a symbol of courage and pride and also a shelter for the oppressed people.
Based on historical and geographical resources, the ancient prophet Zoroaster, who was born in Azarbaijan in 640 BC, left his birthplace to seek shelter in Sabalan at the age of 30. He stayed in the mountain for 10 years in order to pray. Meanwhile, historians suggest different Zoroastrian tribes, such as Goor, Kavoor and Gir, sought shelter in one of the peripheral summits of Sabalan, called ’Hezar Magh’.
Several objects d’art of Zoroastrians, such as a golden chalice, which was used for drinking the lake’s water, have been found in Sabalan’s summit. Other artistic works found in the summit include spoons and needles made from bones, wooden combs, objects in the shape of knives made from bones and a small inscription. These works were scattered all over the summit.
Furthermore, bas-reliefs and stone statues of animals have been found around the summit, all of which hint at the ancient history of the mount.
The exact history of Sabalan is not clear yet. It is high time more comprehensive researches were conducted on the history of the ancient mount.