Onon, Hot, Water, Mineral, Springs, Onon Hot Water Mineral Springs
THE REGIONS OF MONGOLIA
KHENTII AIMAG
Onon Hot Water Mineral Springs
Onon Hot Water Mineral Springs. About 1km West of the statue is the Khajuu Bulag mineral water springs, where the great man once drank.
Take your water bottles and fill them to the brim, because this is the freshest (flowing) spring water you will ever taste. You could also hike
up into the hills behind town, where there is a large ovoo (sacred pyramid-shaped collection of stones).
Beyond the allure of Khajuu Bulag, the entire area offers a rich tapestry of
history and culture, beckoning travelers to explore deeper into its natural and
spiritual wonders. As you approach the springs, the serene ambiance is
accompanied by the subtle symphony of trickling water, a sound that has echoed
through the landscape for centuries, calling forth generations to partake of its
refreshing bounty. These springs are not merely a source of hydration but are
steeped in folklore, making every sip an engagement with history. Locals often
speak of the spring’s restorative properties, a testament to its purity and its
revered place in the community's heritage.
Further exploration reveals an unrivaled panoramic beauty in the surrounding
hills. The trek up to the ovoo—an imposing, sacred structure—offers more than
just physical challenges; it becomes a spiritual pilgrimage. As you climb, each
step along the well-trodden paths whispers stories of those who have come
before, seeking solace and strength. Standing before the ovoo, the travelers can
leave their own offerings—stones from their journeys, silk prayer flags, or
other tokens of respect. Here, at this nexus between the earth and the sky, the
air is filled with a profound sense of peace, where the weight of the world
momentarily lifts, and one has the space to reflect and rejuvenate.
As dusk approaches, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, there is
no better place to witness the world than from this vantage point. The sprawling
vistas are like a canvas, with the distant rolling hills cradling the small town
below. It's a sight that enriches the senses and soul alike, reminding all who
see it of the eternal beauty of nature and the profound connections we share
with it. Whether it’s the taste of the purest mineral water or the silent watch
over an endless horizon, this journey reaffirms the timeless bond between people
and the sacred land that cradles them.
MORE INFORMATION
Other hot springs complex frequented by Zanabazar was the Khaluun Usny Rashaan (Hot Water Mineral Springs) on the upper
Onon River, twenty-four miles south of the Russian border. Here are at least fourteen different mineral springs, some of them with boiling-hot
water, and several bathhouses. Two of the larger springs, both enclosed by bathhouses, are called Ikh Tsenkher and Baga Tsenkher (“Big Blue” and “Little Blue”),
names reportedly given to them by Zanabazar himself, The springs here are famous for treating diseases and afflictions of the lower body: knees (mud packs
taken from near the springs are especially good for knee joints), lower back pain, kidney and liver problems, and also rheumatism and sore muscles in
general. Nearby there is a small log temple with thangkas of White Tara and Janraisig (Avalokitesvara) and portraits of Zanabazar torn from old books.
According to local herdsmen Zanabazar often traveled from the upper Kherlen over Ikh Davaa and Baga Davaa to the headwaters of the Onon and whence to
these hot springs by horse-drawn cart. The rough track he reported established is still used today by people traveling by horse to the hot springs and
is even now known among local herdsmen as “Zanabazar’s Road.”
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