Pilgrimage to holy places in Buiratau Park -
Pilgrimage tours in Kazakhstan -
Kos-Batyr Sanctuary (stone sculptures) is a place of power where history, the spirit of ancestors and the mystery of time are united, one of the most mysterious and revered ancient complexes in Buiratau National Park. The complex is made up of stone sculptures (balbals) installed vertically, and they look like warriors frozen in eternity, guarding the steppe around them. The name "Kos-Batyr" is translated as "Two Bogatyrs" - and indeed, two stone giants standing in the middle of the endless steppe seem to grow out of the ground, looking into the endless horizon and meeting lonely travelers. According to legend, these were two brothers who defended their people until their last breath, and after death their spirits remained in this place, acquiring stone bodies to eternally stand guard over the land. Next to the complex are the Sokolinye Gory (Falcon Mountains), which is one of the most visited natural and historical attractions of the Akmola region. Next to the complex there is a stand with all the information about the complex, including the date.
Who is he, this legendary Kos-Batyr? Some say that he was an invincible warrior, whose fame thundered throughout the steppe. Others say that he was a shaman or a leader who could speak with spirits. Or maybe he never existed, and this is just a collective image of all the batyrs whose names have been erased by time. But the stones remember. Each balbal here is not just a roughly hewn block. Take a closer look and you will see traces of the ancient master's hands: somewhere you can guess a belt with weapons, somewhere a face frozen in stone. Some figures stand proudly, others seem to have bowed under the weight of centuries. Why were they left here? Maybe these are warriors who fell in battle, or maybe guardian spirits protecting this place. Scientists are racking their brains: why are some balbals carefully processed, while others are just stones with a hint of a human appearance? Why did they face precisely to the east? And most importantly - what kind of rituals were performed here? Maybe this was a temple where nomads asked the spirits for victory, or a place where the worthiest were buried? It is worth coming here not only for the antiquities. There is a special energy here - you stand among these stone guardians, and the steppe wind hums in your ears, and it seems that at any moment you will hear the clatter of cavalry or the call of a long-forgotten god. This is not a museum, not an excavation site - it is a portal to the past, where time has slowed down. Legends say that during the full moon the balbals come to life. Who knows - maybe if you come here at night and listen, they will whisper their story to you. Or they will simply silently look into the distance, as they have done for centuries, keeping secrets that we may never unravel.
How to get there and visit -
The Balbals Kos-Batyr (sanctuary, sacred place) is located 9 kilometers from the village of Turgai, 5 kilometers from the village of Balykty, Buyratau National Park, Akmola region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 51°40'39"N 72°43'41"E
Information -
The Kos-Batyr archaeological complex is not just a monument, but a living portal to the era of the Turkic Khaganates. Not only scientists and historians come here, but also those who feel with their hearts – here power lived, blood was shed and legends were born. Stone warriors – balbals – are hand-hewn from stone, each with its own face, features, weapons. These are not just sculptures; these are images of fallen heroes guarding the eternal peace of the steppe. The sanctuary is surrounded by an atmosphere of silence and respect. People come here to touch history, pray, leave treats for the spirits, make a wish. Local residents say that especially strong energy is felt at dawn – when the first rays of the sun fall on the faces of the balbals, as if awakening them from a stone sleep. Archaeologists find here the remains of burial mounds, sacrificial sites, fragments of ceramics and ancient burials, and esotericists talk about a powerful flow of energy coming from the earth itself. Kos-Batyr is a point of power, where the past breathes nearby, and the space is filled with sacred meaning. The nature around is harsh and beautiful at the same time. Vast steppe, low hills, rare trees and the wind singing about the past. It is hot here in the summer, the sun mercilessly scorches the earth, but in the evenings, it becomes cool and calm. In the spring, the steppe comes to life, blossoms, and then Kos-Batyr seems to remember its ancient rituals. This place is a real Kazakh Mecca for lovers of history, spiritual practices and travelers looking for something more than just landscapes. Here you can feel like a part of a huge, eternal canvas that has been woven for centuries.
Nearby attractions:
• Buiratau National Park;
• Sokolinye Gory (Falcon Mountains);
• Akdym Mountain;
• Zhaushoky Mountain;
• Aulie-Bulak Spring;
• Kara-Agash Spring;
• Nature Museum in Buiratau Park;
• Karagayly Ancient Burial Site;
• Togyz Shoshak Glade (Tract);
• Azhbay Lake;
• Bozaygyr Lake.
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