Known as a mysterious and fascinating treasure of Central Asia, Issyk Kul Kul is the meeting point of extraordinary stories, deep history and the magnificent beauty of nature. This lake has a structure that fascinates people not only with the clarity of its waters, but also with its thousands of years of legends and history.
Although the lake is considered a work of nature after the ice age, it is not only a geographical formation but also a mysterious living space that contains the cultural and historical ties of the Kyrgyz people. The fascinating secrets and impressive beauty of Issyk-Kul Lake have always attracted explorers with deep curiosity.
Characteristics of Issyk Kul Lake, Considered Sacred
Issyk-Kul or Issyk-Kul Kul, It is located in the northeast of Kyrgyzstan, close to the border with Kazakhstan. It is located in a tectonic depression between the Küngöy Ala Mountains in the north and the Teskey Ala Mountains in the south. It is on average 1606 meters above sea level. sacred for Kyrgyz Issyk Kul, an important place in Kyrgyzstan from tourist destinations is one.
Lake Titicacaafter second largest alpine lake in the worldStop. Even though it is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the lake never freezes. Therefore, in Kyrgyz language “heat or hot, warm lake” It was called “Issyk Köl” meaning “Issyk Köl”. Kyrgyz people call this lake “The pearl of KyrgyzstanThey addressed it as “. At the same time, this lake, which is considered sacred among the people as a part of the shaman belief, is called ““Eye of God” or “Eye of the World” is called.
The lake is 182 kilometers long from west to east and 60 kilometers wide from north to south. The total coastline length is 988 kilometers and covers an area of 6,236 square kilometers. The average depth of the lake is 278 meters and the deepest point is 668 meters. There are no sudden deepenings on the northern shores of the lake and they are generally shallower, but the curves are more frequent on the southern shores.
According to scientists, the formation of Issyk-Kul Lake occurred as a result of earthquakes or glacial movements. The lake is a lake generally attributed to the ice age. glacial lake It is considered; It is thought to have formed approximately 20,000 to 10,000 years ago, towards the end of the ice age. During this period, it may have been among the large glacial lakes formed by the melting of glaciers. Issyk Kul’s current shape is a result of erosion and geographical processes that occurred after the end of the ice age. For this reason, it is difficult to determine with complete certainty the formation of Issyk-Kul Lake.
Issyk Kul is a lake with no outflow and approximately 118 rivers It is a tropical lake fed by a river and resembles a sea with its view. In addition, cold and hot springs and snow waters also contribute to the lake. Lake water is slightly salty and the water level drops by approximately 5 cm every year. This lake has an important habitat for many animal species, especially waterfowl. The lake and the surrounding mountains look like a unique painting at the point where water and sky meet. Crystal clear water and warm sand Issyk-Kul with its beaches attracts the attention of both local and foreign tourists with its natural beauty. With these features, the lake offers visitors a magnificent nature experience.
It Served as a Recreation Center for the Turkish Khaganates
Issyk Kul Lake, which served as a recreation center for Turkish khanates such as the Karakhanids, was surrounded by many ancient cities during the Soviet Union period. sanatoriums, hostels and holiday homes It had become a popular holiday destination. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, these facilities went through difficult times. Nowadays, large hotel complexes in the region are being closed and hostels offering bed and breakfast for the younger generation are being opened in their place.
On the lake during the Soviet Union nuclear tests It was claimed that the lake was emitting radiation. It is thought that this situation may be caused by the phosphoric minerals found in the lake.
Mucmil al-tavarih via al-kishash, dated 520 Hijri or 1126 Gregorian, which is one of the writings of Vasily Vladimirovich Bartold (Wilhelm Barthold) that constitutes a source for the history of Turkestan, mentions a mountain near Issyk Lake. Turk (son of Japheth) He cared about this region and one night he saw fire on top of that mountain. After this incident, he named the mountain “Anduk Art” and built his tent on top.
Why It Is Called The Eye Of God, The Eye Of The World
This is one of the most inaccessible places in the world.Asian Inaccessible PoleIt is located very close to . While the Tian Shan Mountains extend eastward from Uzbekistan, they divide into the territory of Kyrgyzstan, taking the shape of a large “eye”. These mountains continue a long journey, surrounding the borders of the eye like eyelashes. “Eye” for Issyk Kul, which is not round but resembles a slanted eye like in Japanese cartoons, in accordance with its geography. or even the “eye of god”” analogy was made.
Issyk Kul Kul, which is called the Eye of God and the Eye of the World, is world famous. Kyrgyz writer Cengiz Aytmatov He did not mince his words in his story titled “Yıldırım Sesli Manasçı” and said:
“I beg you on behalf of my white milk, O Tengri! We have come here to pray to you, on the shores of this sacred lake, which is your eye on earth. O Issyk-Kul Kul, the eye of the earth looking at the sky! I call out to you, O lake whose waters do not freeze! O holy literary being! When Kök Tengri (Sky God), who rules destiny, turns his eyes to his foam, I call out to you so that you can convey my prayer to him…“
Issyk-Kul is a kind of sacred place for the nomadic Kyrgyz people living in the Tian Shan Mountains, a place where they reach God and pray. This lake is perceived as a living, feeling and sacred being.
Discovery of City Ruins of an Ancient Civilization in the Depths of the Lake
Issyk Kul is a legendary lake located in an epic geography that has historically had a great impact on the culture of the people of the region. This lake, which has witnessed thousands of years of history, carries old traces, some of which have been covered over time. It has been determined that until about 10-15 centuries ago, the level of the lake was 8 meters lower and there were ruins of ancient settlements in its shallow areas.
Discoveries of Kyrgyz and Russian divers and archaeologists, Deep in the lake are the ruins of a large city from a civilization more than 2,500 years old. and shows that it has unearthed ancient metal objects. Although there is not much information about this civilization yet, those who participated in the research claim that Issyk-Kul may have hosted a settlement area on a scale similar to the Pontic civilization of the Black Sea and even the Egyptian civilization at that time.
Researchers strengthen their claims by the fact that Issyk-Kul Lake is on the migration routes of both nomadic societies and Indo-Aryan tribes. These findings excitingly reveal the discovery of ancient civilizations and mysteries in the depths of history hidden under the waters of the lake.
“Man in Golden Dress” Found in Issyk-Kul Region
The Issyk-Kul region is home to a deep and rich historical heritage. The 1969 excavations in the region revealed the famous “man in golden suit” It unearthed the Esik kurgan, an archaeological find known as the. Additionally, BC III. Karakol kurgans, dating back to the 1st century AD, are also located in this region. This area, which is the region with the most statues in the Tian Shan Mountains, attracts attention with details such as curved swords hung on the belts, Turkish-style headdresses and hanging moustaches in many statues.
around the lake Barsgan, Atbaş, Çumgal and Tokuz Tarav There are many ruins such as. These ruins mostly resemble Sogdian castles from Fergana and some from the Gok-Turk period. Islamic sources and some Turkish epics state that the region is the oldest Turkish homeland. According to these epics, near the Volga (Volga) and Yayik (Ural) rivers JaphethThe son of Turk and other Turkish tribes settled there.
Archaeological excavations have shown that the first settlements of the Turks were in the north of the Altai Mountains and in the southwest of the Sayan Mountains (between 2500 and 1700 BC).
In addition to being an important part of Central Asian Turkish history, the Issyk-Kul region stands out as the meeting point of Eastern and Western Turks. In addition, this region, which is an important transit point of trade routes from West to East, provides transportation to China via the Balasagun – Issyk Kul – Kucha – Koço route.
The Legend of Cholpan, which has an important place in Kyrgyz folk culture
Because of the brightness of your eyes Cholpan When the girl named grew up and reached marriageable age, she became the favorite of all the brave men. Her door was overflowing with suitors who wanted to get married. Among all these suitors, Çolpan chose two people to whom she felt close: Ulan and Santash. However, none of them gave up on Cholpan, and likewise, Cholpan could not choose between these two brave men. Finally, they made a decision to solve the problem: They would solve this situation with the power of their wrists. There would be a fight between men, the loser would give up Cholpan.
Ulan and Santaş started fighting each other to prove their love. Both tried to prevail, but the fight was never coming to an end. Days passed, both brave men were worn out, but they did not give up. Families and the public were also involved, making the situation even more complicated. The events shook Çolpan deeply. If he didn’t do anything, this fight would cause hundreds of brave men to destroy each other. He took his heart out of his chest and lifted it towards the sky. That heart would no longer belong to anyone. No one would have to injure each other. Cholpan’s lifeless body fell to the ground.
The lifeless body of the beautiful Cholpan deeply affected everyone who saw it. People’s tears did not stop for days. These tears accumulated and accumulated, and eventually Issyk Kul was formed with tears in the valley. The skies cried, the mountains cried, and Issyk-Kul grew bigger and bigger… The lake, salted with these painful tears and the elders claimed that the lake carried the pain of many people.
Ulan and his clan settled in the west, Santaş and his clan settled in the east. For this reason, even today, the Kyrgyz people living in the Issyk-Kul region call the winds blowing from those directions by the names of Ulan and Santash. This legend is remembered as a moving story that tells the deep emotional and geographical connections in the people’s history.
