Aulie Kyzyltau
It is located in the south of the Pavlodar region in Bayanaul district, 18 km south-west of the village of Zhuantobe (former village of Ugolnoe, state farm named after Zh. Aymauytov). The object is located on the territory of the Kyzyltau Nature Reserve with the total area of 60,000 hectares, organized for the purpose of protection and reproduction of rare species of animals and their habitats.
The sacral nature of the site is connected with the fact that it is the highest point of the Pavlodar region - 1 055 m above sea level. In this regard, in the minds of the local population it is associated with the archetype "World Mountain", which has been an object of worship since ancient times, as evidenced by its name Aulie Kyzyltau. The sacralization of this natural object is associated with the tradition of ascent to its top as a special act of spiritual exaltation due to certain difficulties of ascent and overcoming them and leaving on top of the memorial signs in the form of ribbons symbolizing the sacrificial offering.
Mount Aulie Kyzyltau is composed of granites of the Carboniferous and Permian periods, has a conical-pyramidal shape with a sharp top and steep slopes covered with cliffs, crevices and washouts that complicate the ascent to the top. One of the rock washings formed an arched opening, which also gives this place a special flavor and sacral importance.
Aulie Kyzyltau Mountain was probably considered as an object of worship from the Bronze Age and the early Iron Age, as evidenced by the numerous burial monuments of that time, concentrated around it. This significance is still preserved to this day, being a place of worship and pilgrimage not only for people who consider this mountain to be sacred, but also for tourists.
Bibliography and archival sources about the sacred significance of Mount Aulie Kyzyltau have not been found yet, but further research into the oral tradition data preserved in the local population will be able to supplement this information with legendary information.