Volcano Azhdahak / Geghama Mountains

Mountain Azhdahak is the highest peak of the Geghama mountain range. Its height is 3597m. It is located on the border of Kotayk and Gegharkunik regions. Azhdahak is an extinct volcanic cone with a crater the depth of 50 m and a diameter of 500 m. There is a beautiful lake located in the crater of the mountain. Mountain Azhdahak consists of slag, lapilli and volcanic bombs. Most of the year it is under the snow. The slopes are free of vegetation.

The Geghama mountains are a very popular destination for hiking and trekking in Armenia. A lot of people from all over the world visit the Geghama mountains to climb mountain Azhdahak and explore the petroglyphs and vishaps, in which live an ancient history of humanity.

Origin of the name

Azhdahak, Azhi Dahaka, is an evil dragon from the Iranian mythology. “Azhi” means snake, dragon. The god of storm, Trayetaona struggled against Azhi. In “Shah-Name” Azhi Dahak is represented as foreign tyrant king Zohak, who is defeated and chained by Hruden. In ancient Armenian tales this mythological dragon becomes the king of Media, who is defeated and killed by Armenian king Tigran.

The story of Tigran and Azhdahak

As a basis for this story serves the legend of the struggle between the storm god and a dragon. During the time,  in Armenian tales it started to be associated with the relationship between Armenian kings Tigran from the Yervanduni dynasty (560-524 B.C.), Tigran the Great from the Artaxiad dynasty (95-55 B.C.) and the king of Media. Tigran is represented as a storm god or a hero, who is Armenian. He is kind, handsome, brave, strong, with blonde curly hair, with vivid eyes and face; he is just and fair. Azhdahak, the king of Media, is presented as an evil dragon.

The legend of “Tigran and Azhdahak” is based on the confrontation and struggle of these two heroes.

Azhdahak is afraid of Tigran, because he saw himself defeated by him in a dream. To prevent this, he marries Tigran’s sister, the beautiful Tigranuhi. Azhdahak organizes conspiracies against Tigran, but because of Tigranuhi the conspiracy is crushed. Tigran and Azhdahak struggle against each other, with large armies at their disposal. Tigran kills Azhdahak, liberates his sister, enslaves Azhdahak’s first wife, Anuysh, and lets her live in Armenia, on the eastern slopes of Masis (Ararat).

Vishaps of Geghama mountains

There were many vishapakars (dragon stones) in the Geghama mountains, which were removed. During the time of the Soviet Union some of the vishapakars even were moved to Yerevan. There is a garden of vishaps (dragons) in Nor Norq district. One of these vishapakars is located in front of the Government House, near “Vernisazh” market.

Now only two of these vishapakars remain untouched in the Geghama mountains, near lake Vanki.
While climbing mountain Azhdahak, you should certainly visit petroglyphs and vishaps of Geghama mountains.

Hiking and trekking in Armenia