Aramazd

Bargushat Mountains

Length: 86 km

Highest summit: Mount Aramazd (3,399 m)

Coordinates: 39°18’39.76, 46°10’45.74

The Bargushat Mountains are located in Syunik Province and constitute the eastern branch of the Zangezur Mountain Range. They begin at the Mount Ayrisar summit and stretch eastward towards Aghjkasar, turning southeast before reaching the valley near the Voghji River. They also serve as a watershed between the Voghji and Vorotan rivers. The slopes are split by the deep (up to 800 m) valleys of the Vorotan and Geghi tributaries. The Bargushat Range consists of fold-fragment mountains and are divided into western and eastern sections by the Giratagh-Svarants River valleys. The western area is a horst-shaped rise composed of sedimentary Paleozoic rocks and volcanic-sedimentary Eocene subsurface rocks and granite.

The peaks of the Bargushat Range include Mount Aramazd, Mount Geghakar (3,343 m), Mount Karakatar (3,270 m) and Mount Yerkatasar (3,227 m). The eastern area around Mount Susanasar is relatively low, with a slanted relief and is composed of volcanic rocks and chalk from the Jurassic period.

Aramazd

The climate is mild, but colder in the higher zone. The range receives between 500-800 mm of precipitation annually and receives a substantial amount of snow in winter. The slopes are forested, and sub-alpine and alpine meadows can be found in the upper zone.

Mount Aramazd

Mount Aramazd is composed of largely volcanic rock, with its slopes being relatively steep and covered with mountain meadows. There are many stone exposures and rock formations near the summit. The name of the mountain means “supreme wisdom” in the Pahlavi language, and refers to the god of the pagan Armenians.

According to the writings of Agatangeghos and Movses Khorenatsi, Aramazd was the principle deity in the pantheon of gods of ancient Armenia, and was viewed as the father of all other deities, and the supreme creator of both heaven and earth. He was often referred to as the “Great and Brave Aramazd” and his main shrine was located in Ani-Kamakh, a key center of religious activity in ancient Armenia, which was also home to the mausoleums and treasuries of the Arshakuni royal dynasty.

According to legend, celestial fairies live in a remote cave located in the highest reaches of the mountain. When the mountain “goes to sleep”, the fairies come out to fight each other, intent on winning the affections of a young man. The victorious fairy then becomes this young man’s wife for the duration of a year. Locals believe that thunder represents the sound of the fairies fighting, and that lightning strikes are the fairies’ “swords”.