Varag Mountain - Armenian Highland

Mount Varag is located in Vaspurakan Highland, 15 km west from lake Van. The altitude of the mountain is 3200 m.

A paragraph from a book “Burning Orchards”

Mount Varag has many peaks, the highest of them is Astghkaberd. In ancient times on the slopes of the mountain there was a pagan temple devoted to Astghik goddess. The remnants of the temple have been preserved till now. The temple was also named after Vahagn, as he has been the beloved one of Astghik goddess.

Varag Mountain

The legend of Mount Varag

The sunrise is clearly seen from the mount Varag. At first 12 servants of the Sun appear on the foothills of the mountain and start to hit the mountain with their glowing sticks.

The mount becomes lower with every strike and all the surrounding mountain bow their heads together with him. While washing its face the Sun waters mountains and fields.

All the birds wake up from the water drops and fill the world with the beauty of their songs. Eventually rises the burning golden Sun.

Photo by Hrachuhi Ayvazyan, Gevorg haroyan, Davit Mirzoyan & Tigran Shahbazyan