One of the most famous natural monuments of the Baikal National Park is the Shaman-stone located at the source of the Angara. This is a recognized symbol of the great lake, which is sometimes called the "lonely char". It separates the Angara River and Lake Baikal.
In clear weather, only its top is visible above the water, which protrudes one and a half meters. There is a rock mass under the water. Thanks to him, the Angara does not freeze in winter. About fifteen thousand water birds nest in the huge polynya, which stretches for almost fifteen kilometers. It is the only ice-free wintering ground in North Asia.
Location
If you go to one of the two sites near the shore, which are located near the Vampilov Stone and the Chersky Stone, you can see that the Shaman-stone is a single rock that divides the waters of the Angara into two parts.
Geographical position of the stone: the source of the river. Angara, half a kilometer from the conditional alignment. Coordinates: 51°52'18.65″ s. sh. 104°49'14.89″ E e. This tiny island, left here from the Primorsky Range, which in ancient times was washed away by the Angara,is a very popular place on Lake Baikal. The shaman-stone has a large rock base, which forms a threshold in front of the depths of Baikal.
This stone is surrounded by water, and to date, one failed attempt on it can be considered the version of the explosion committed to fill the reservoir of the Irkutsk hydroelectric power station.
What is the stone famous for?
The history of the Shaman-stone (at Baikal) is shrouded in many legends. It is known that it served as a cult haven where Buryat shamans performed prayer ceremonies. For a long time it was a kind of "sworn" place. People suspected of treason or lies were sent here. Most often, unfaithful wives got here. The locals firmly believed that a person who told a lie would be punished for sin on this stone.
Confirmation of these facts can be found in the works of the German historian G. F. Miller, who described Siberia in the 18th century. Some researchers suggest that the existing legend about the amazing movement of this stone is a direct confirmation that ancient people could have witnessed certain geological cataclysms occurring on the shores of Lake Baikal. First of all, this concerns disasters, as a result of which new flows from the lake appeared, and the old ones, for example, in the areas of Buguldeyka or Kultuk, overlapped.
Legend
The shaman-stone, the photo of which you see below, has aroused the interest of local residents since ancient times. Shamans spent here mysteriousrites. The indigenous people believed that Ama Sagan Noyon, the owner of the Angara, lived here. All this was reflected in numerous stories and legends, which the old-timers of these places tell with pleasure. Below we present one of the most beautiful and romantic ones.
It happened in those ancient times, when valiant knights and mighty heroes lived in the world. At that time Baikal was great and rich. Everyone revered and respected him. And he had a daughter, whose name was Angara. Everyone bowed before the unearthly beauty of the girl. Baikal loved and spoiled his only child. Meanwhile, Angara grew up proud and wayward.
Irkut
Years passed, and it's time to choose a beautiful husband. It was summer, on the eve of the Surkharban holiday. The great Baikal called the heroes from all the surrounding villages to him, so that they would measure their courage and strength and try to win the heart of his daughter. Among the applicants was the one who was especially fond of the bride's father - the handsome hero Irkut.
Yenisei
But none of Baikal's laudatory words addressed to him found a response in the daughter's heart. Finally, the holiday came, the heroes came together to measure their strength, and saw among them Angara Yenisei, the son of the mighty Sayan. He was the strongest, dexterous, his valor and courage won the heart of the beauty.
But Baikal was dissatisfied with the choice of his daughter and did not give his consent to this marriage. The young had to leave. Day and night, the father tried to persuade his beloved to marry a strong and courageous Irkut. However, the daughter remained adamant. Baikal in angerimprisoned her, and after a while he said that he had agreed to Irkut's marriage.
Escape from captivity
And then Angara decided to run away. She turned for help to her younger brothers - streams, which washed away the wall of the dungeon. The proud Angara broke free. The angry Baikal demanded that the fugitive return. At this time, a terrible wind rose over the Earth, lightning flashed, thunder rumbles shook everything around. Animals and birds sought shelter in fear.
After the Angara, the hero Yenisei rushed. And at this time, lightning, like a chip, split the old mountain. Baikal picked up a fragment of the mountain and threw it after the recalcitrant daughter in order to block her path. But he didn’t have time - Angara was already next to the Yenisei, and he grabbed her in his arms. Since that time, they have been inseparable. All the tears of joy and grief that Baikal, Angara, Yenisei and Irkut cried out turned into water streams. And a fragment of the very rock that the angry Baikal threw after his daughter has since been known to people as the Shaman-stone. The legend says that if Baikal becomes very angry, then it will wash away this stone with water and flood the whole world.
In order not to anger Baikal, local residents have been bringing various offerings here for a long time, and now they are throwing coins into the water. Another legend, or rather, a legend, says that if you peer into the rock for a long time, you can see the faces of shamans who performed mysterious rites here in the old days. For several years now, the Shaman-stone on Baikal has been destroyed, and local old peoplesee this as a bad sign.
This amazing natural monument is not only a witness to the past of the peoples of Baikal. Shaman-stone is a kind of mystical component of these places. If you have the opportunity to visit these places, visit the famous stone, appreciate the beauty of local landscapes, listen to numerous legends. By the way, today everyone who visits an excursion to the village of Listvyanka can see the legendary rock. There is a well-equipped observation deck with a great view of the stone.
