Once protected by its remoteness, a sacred lake in Kyrgyzstan is threatened by change
An entrance to the Manzhyly-Ata sacred springs area near the southern shore of the Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan, in November 2023. On the shores of the 10th largest lake in the world are more than 130 sites held sacred in local folk traditions, including trees, mountain peaks, hot springs and tombs of important figures. Credit: AP/Diana Kruzman
BOKONBAYEVO, Kyrgyzstan (RNS) — On a crisp afternoon in November, Bakyt Choitonbaev picked his way along a narrow trail, pushing through spiky shrubs of ephedra before stopping at a small pool of bright green water and pointing out well-worn patches of dirt where visitors kneel to pray.
Pilgrims, Choitonbaev explained, come from around Kyrgyzstan to this spring and half a dozen others nearby to seek healing from illnesses or help bearing children.
This community leader lives in nearby Bokonbayevo, a town of 14,000 people at the foot of the snowcapped Tian Shan mountains in this central Asian country. For the past seven years, he said, he has noticed less and less water in the springs, a decline he attributed to both lower rainfall and to the constant flow of visitors who drink the water or bottle it for its sacred properties.
___
This content is written and produced by Religion News Service and distributed by The Associated Press. RNS and AP partner on some religion news content. RNS is solely responsible for this story.
Hochul's State of the State ... Disappearing hardware stores ... LI Volunteers: Marine rescue center ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
Hochul's State of the State ... Disappearing hardware stores ... LI Volunteers: Marine rescue center ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
