Mount Damavand

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Mount Damāvand (In Persian: دماوند) also known as Donbavand, a dormant volcano, located in middle Alborz Range and adjacency of Vararoo , Sesang , Golezard and Mianrood, is the highest point in Iran (Persia) and is the highest peak in Middle East. The mountain is located near the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, in the Mazandaran province, 66 km (45 mile) northeast of Tehran. It is clearly visible from Tehran. The nearest major town to Mount Damavand is city of Larijan famous for its hot springs.

Contents

1 History
2 Symbolism and mythology
3 Elevation
4 Routes to the summit
5 Damavand photos
6 Links

History

Mount Damāvand has its own special place in Iranian mythology and folklore. In Zoroastrian texts and mythology, the three-headed dragon Aži Dahāka was chained within Mount Damāvand, there to remain until the end of the world. In a later version of the same legend, the tyrant Zahhāk was also chained on some cave in mount Damāvand after being defeated by Kāva and Fereydun. Damāvand is also significant to the patriotic Iranian legend of Arash.

Damāvand was climbed by Iranians thousands of years ago, by shepherds and such.

Symbolism and mythology

Damavand is the symbol of Iranian resistance against the foreign rule in Persian poetry and literature. The famous poem Damavand by Mohammad Taghi Bahar is one of the many poetic creations about Damavand.

The first verse of this poem is:

Ay deeve sepeede paay dar band,
''Oh white footed demon in chains"
Ay gonbade giti, ay Damavand....
Oh celestial dome, Oh Mount Damavand

In Persian mythology, the mountain is where Zahak The Dragon King is slain by the hero Fereydun. The mountain is said to hold magical powers in the Shahnama.

Elevation

The 5,610m given here is from the [Statistical Centre of Iran]; click on "A Glance at Iran", then "Land and Government" to find "the highest point in Iran is Mount Damavand being 5610 metres high". This elevation is consistent with SRTM data. The commonly quoted 5,671m elevation is not consistent with SRTM data and there is no evidence that it was derived from an accurate survey.

Routes to the summit

There are at least 16 known routes [link] to the summit which have different difficulties. Some of them are very dangerous and need rock climbing. The most popular route is the Southern Route which has step stamps and also a camp midway at el=4000m. The longest route is the Northeastern and it takes two whole days to reach the summit starting from downhill village of Nandal and a night stay at Takht-e-Fereydoun (el=4300m), a two-story shelter. The western route is famous for its sunset view. Simorgh shelter in this route at el=4100m is a newly constructed shelter with two stories. There is a frozen waterfall (Abshaar-e-Yakhi), which often causes major avalanches.

Damavand photos

Image:Damavand2.jpg|Another view of the mountain. Image:Damavand_in_winter.jpg|Damavand in winter. Image:summit_crater_damavand.jpg|Summit Crater of Mt. Damavand from space. Image:damavand_iran.jpg|Damavand from space. Image:Damavand3.jpg|Another view of Damavand. Image:Damavand_1.jpg|Mount Damavand.

Links

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