Sacred places on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul

Natural holy places are filled with miraculous energy and possess healing and magic properties. They date back to the beginning of time and are closely connected with the geographical sphere and physical characteristics of the Earth.
The road along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul to the east of Bokonbaevo village runs very close to the water. Along the narrow coastline lie some of the best sandy beaches of the lake. Just before Kadzhisay a road marked "Manjyly Ata" leads south along the long mountain valley for five kilometers to some miraculous springs. Nobody knows how many there are. The nine that are active have names: Manjyly Ata, Umay Ene, Ilim-Bilim... Every spring offers health, peace, love, protection from evil, but most common of all is the hope that the sacred water will aid fertility.

There is a saying: "If you want to increase your livestock and wealth pray in Cholpon-Ata, if you want to have a baby pray in Manjyly-Ata". A visit to the holy place usually starts by worshiping the ashes of the great seer Manjyly, whose tomb is not far from the springs.
Tashtar-Ata mountain rises above the surrounding slopes. Its sacred nature is related in the epic "Manas". Manas' fellow-fighters, the forty warriors - kyrk choro -had an observation post on the mountain from which they could spy on their enemies. The whole surrounding area and other side of the lake can be seen from the top, now a place of pilgrimage where sacrificial ceremonies take place. The remains of a stone construction still exist, said to have been forty stones, one to hide each of Manas' warriors. There are hollowed out marks dating back to that time, perhaps the imprints of the warriors' hands.
Near Kozho-Say, the gorge of the holy Khodzha, is a settlement of the same name. From there a pass runs along the valley of the Tosor river. The holy places of the Tosor date back to time immemorial. On the river terraces are stone circles made from boulders that seem to grow out of the land. These are remains of ancient sanctuaries where nomads performed devotions, made sacrifices, worshipped heavenly bodies. Rock carvings depict hunting scenes, the main occupation of ancient settlers. There are many burial mounds of Saks, Usuns, and ancient Turks in Tosor. Tibetan and Arabic inscriptions were found in the upper section of the river.

Archaeologists discovered a site of primitive people on the right bank of the river four kilometers from the lake. Stone Age tools used for hunting were produced here from local materials forty to fifty thousand years ago.
The famous Tamga-Tash stone is located on the right bank of the Tamga river, seven kilometers from the point where it flows into Lake Issyk-Kul. Broken in half, the lump of stone resembles a yurt in shape. There is an inscription made of incuse letters half-a-meter high on the stone: om mani padme khum, repeated three times. This is the highest mantra of Buddhism, familiar to Buddhists all over the world. Similar mystical sayings were carved on stones and rocks in all areas where Buddhists were known to have lived.
Along the Tamga river, in the gorge of the same name, are more Tibetan inscriptions, probable evidence that Buddhists established a branch of Holy Shambala there. It would be hard to imagine a more perfect setting.

There are many sacred places on the mountain paths. Every sacred object has its own aasi (spirit) or lord, which sometimes take the form of animals.
In the Turgen-Aksu gorge there are abundant springs welling up in the middle of the pine forest, near the road. The nearest trees and bushes are hung with multicolored pieces of fabric strips. According to a folk legend
Ak-Baka - the white frog - lives here. The frog appears only in presence of a person whose prayers are accepted and then the person's wishes will be fulfilled.
Humanity is inseparably linked with nature. Man's sacred places, such as tumuli, necropolises and cult structures, have often been erected in close harmony with nature.