Water as a landmark of Armenia

Among the many things that Armenia is famous for, water occupies a special place. From natural fresh and mineral waters to pure tap water, water in Armenia is important both for people and for the country in general.

Clean drinking water is available almost throughout the country. People buy bottled water from the store very rarely, and water filters are not that popular. This is because there is always access to clean water at home, you just need to turn the tap on. Drinking water in Armenia comes from natural underground sources. Except for a few settlements, almost the entire country is supplied with clean water that does not need to be boiled or filtered. The quality of drinking water in Armenia meets international standards.

All this, to some extent, has a positive effect on the environment, since there is no need to constantly buy water, which is almost always sold in plastic bottles. And if you buy bottled water, you can keep the bottle, fill it with clean tap water and reuse it.

Significance and traditions

Water in Armenia has both practical and cultural significance. Since ancient times Armenians worshiped water and its gods and composed legends about it. There is even a holiday directly related to the water – Vardavar. On this day, traditionally, people all over the country take to the streets and pour water over each other.

Another interesting tradition is connected to a send-off of relatives. When a loved one goes on a long journey, it is customary in Armenia to pour water after them. With this gesture people wish good luck, a safe trip and a speedy return home.

The practical significance of water lies in watering plants and gardens, in the possibility to always be clean and keep the house clean, and, of course, in quenching your thirst. Before, in different cities of Armenia, young boys were collecting cold water from the sources and offering it to people in the streets. These boys were saving people from heat and dehydration.

Now this work is done by special drinking fountains that can be found in all Armenian cities.

Pulpulak

In Armenia, you don’t have to worry if you forgot your bottle of water. There are many convenient drinking fountains all over the country. Cold and pure water flows from these fountains and saves many people from thirst. Armenians call these fountains “pulpulak”. This word describes the sound of water splashing from the fountains. Water in pulpulaks also saves animals from thirst. It is very common to see birds drinking water and bathing near the pulpulaks. Also, there are more and more pulpulaks installed specially for stray animals.

Pulpulaks are often a part of general urban architecture. Many of them are so beautiful that they can be considered a separate art form. One of such pulpulaks is the “Seven Springs” (Յոթ աղբյուր), which is located on Republic Square in Yerevan. The author of this drinking fountain is the Armenian architect Spartak Knteghtsyan. In 2010, the tips of the drinking fountain were restored. The author of these tips is the Armeian designer and jeweler Arman Nur. One of the interesting facts about this pulpulak is that it can serve as sundial.

Also, very often you can see pulpulaks, which are installed by the locals themselves. Generally, such drinking fountains are installed in memory of relatives and loved ones, of hero soldiers. Many of these pulpulaks are decorated with beautiful Armenian ornaments.

You can find pulpulaks everywhere – on the streets, in courtyards, in main squares, and even on highways. Very often, heading from one city to another, you can find springs with cold water at some rest stops. Such pulpulaks are mainly built in the form of khachkars (cross-stones). This means that even during a long trip, you will have the opportunity to refresh and stock up on the tastiest and coldest water.

Natural water sources

One of the rare occasions when you need a bottle of water in Armenia is doing outdoor activities in the mountains. When hiking in the mountains, be sure to take plenty of water with you. However, even in the mountains, you can often find water sources. Due to its mountainous relief, Armenia is rich in natural mineral and fresh waters. There are many rivers, lakes, streams, waterfalls, reservoirs. The water sources in the mountains of Armenia are fast flowing rivers and streams. However, the mineralization of water in these places is quite low, so it is better to drink such water with the addition of isotonic.

Armenia is also rich in mineral waters that have medical properties. These are cold and hot sources of mineral water, saturated with carbon dioxide. The most famous mineral water deposit in Armenia is the city of Jermuk. This is a high-mountain resort town in Vayots Dzor region. The “Jermuk” mineral water is produced here. In Jermuk, there is also the most beautiful Jermuk Waterfall, as well as many sources of mineral water. The water temperature in these sources is different, from 20 to 65 degrees. Jermuk mineral water is used both for drinking and for medicinal baths.

Bjni village, located in the Kotayk region, is also rich in mineral sources with different water temperatures. Here, you can find both cold and warm mineral water sources. This village produces medicinal mineral water “Bjni”.

Dilijan is another resort town in the Tavush region of Armenia, which is famous for its medicinal mineral water. In Dilijan, there are sources of cold mineral water.

Legends about water

The Armenians composed many legends about water. These legends tell about lakes and waterfalls in Armenia, about people and mythical creatures associated with water.

For example, there is a legend about the healing power of Jermuk water. It is a story of how a deer, mortally wounded by a hunter’s shot, gets to a mineral water source and dives into it. Miraculous mineral water heals deer’s wound, and it runs away into the forest.That is why the deer is a symbol of Jermuk.

Since ancient times people in Armenia have worshiped water. In order to protect the lakes and water sources, they installed stone statues next to them called vishapakars. In Armenian mythology, vishaps are mythical creatures, dragons, which are considered spirits of water. One of the legends about vishaps is associated with Lake Sevlich. The legend tells about a forty-headed vishap who drank half of the lake. In order not to allow the vishap to drink the second half, the mountains raised Lake Sevlich high to the sky. Vishap, unable to climb to the lake, died of thirst.

 

As you can see, water occupies a rather important place in Armenia. We, the residents of Armenia, are very lucky, because we have large reserves of clean drinking water, sources of medicinal mineral water, and even water in the mountains that is acceptable for drinking. All this suggests that we should value this water, be cautious with it and take care of what we have.

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