Sacred places of Zhambyl region in Kazakhstan -
Jeep tour to the Sandyktas Sanctuary (Merke) from Taraz -
Sandyktas sanctuary, also known as the Merke Sanctuary, dates back to the VI-XIV century, an ancient sacred, sacred place and place of pilgrimage in the mountains of Zhambyl region. Among the local population, the place is known as the "Valley of the Ancestors" or "Land of Healing" and the word "sandyktas" means "Stone Chest" in Kazakh. The sanctuary is a place lined with stones or mounds, in the center of which there are stone statues of a man, a man and a woman.
How to get there, visit -
The Sandyktas Sanctuary is located in the Merken Mountains at an altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level, on the Sandyk mountain plateau, Merke State Nature Reserve, upper reaches of the Merke River, Zhambyl region, Republic of Kazakhstan. The sanctuary is located high in the mountains, therefore, from the place that can be reached by car, part of the way must be covered on foot through mountainous terrain, to visit this place you need at least two days with an overnight stay in the mountains. To get to this place, you need to use the services of our company, we will provide you with a 4x4 jeep, all the necessary equipment for overnight accommodation and professional mountain guides, guides.
Information -
There are ancient mounds of more than 100 or more pieces and stone statues of people at the Sandyktas sanctuary. The diameter of the mounds is from 7 to 12 meters. In the center of some there are stone statues, all statues face east towards the rising sun. In total, the researchers counted 70 stone statues, male and female figures here. Female figures, according to researchers, denoted a goddess, perhaps a virgin ancestor. The sanctuary is located high in the mountains, which indicates its sacred status, which is why the holy places were very well hidden by ancient people from prying eyes. Zhambyl region is famous for the fact that people who professed different religions lived on its territory, such as: Tengrianism, Islam, Christianity, Manichaeism, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism. The Sandyktas Sanctuary is under the protection of the state of Kazakhstan, in 1998 the Merke Sanctuary was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Sandyktas Sanctuary in Zhambyl region
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