#arhangai

http://eye-of-tengri.deviantart.com/art/Mountains-of-Tsetserleg-618500452

Mountains in Tsetserleg, Arhangai Province, Mongolia

Near Tsetserleg, Arhangai (Mongolia)

http://eye-of-tengri.deviantart.com/art/A-Stone-Thrown-Upward-562936320

http://eye-of-tengri.deviantart.com/art/Taihar-Rock-A-Stone-Thrown-Upward-562942293

Taihar Chuluu (Тайхар чулуу) is a famous rock in Mongolia. This massive stone sits quite incongruously in the middle of a field in Ih-Tamir County in Arhangai Province. This rock, and how it got there, have fascinated people for centuries.

One legend states that a hero named Böhbilegt moved the rock to its current location to trap a snake. Another (found here: ) states that it was a man who turned to stone while waiting for his lover. Modern science thinks the rock may have been deposited by glaciers in the Ice Age.

However it got there, it has become a pilgrimage site, and a tourist attraction. Over the centuries ovoo shrines have been added to it and people have carved in the rock in many different languages.

People say that if you throw a stone over Taihar Chuluu, you will be rewarded with good luck and wealth, or that your dreams will come true, but it is difficult to throw the stone that high.

However, there is also a Mongolian saying, "Өөдөө шидсэн чулуу, Өөрийн толгой дээр," or "A stone thrown upward lands on your own head." It appears in the sky beside the rock, in traditional Mongolian script.

There's no use going against fate, or the will of heaven, because you will only succeed in making things worse for yourself. Instead, live your life without resenting or regretting the things you can't change.

So will this man's dreams come true? Or will his stone just fall back down? And is he doing the right thing to try, even though it is probably impossible for him to throw high enough?

The drawing I did of Taihar Rock is now for sale:

http://eye-of-tengri.deviantart.com/art/Taihar-Chuluu-Ink-561867702

Yaks in Tsetserleg, capital of Arkhangai Province, Mongolia /  Сарлаг Архангай аймгийн төв Цэцэрлэгт

The Buddhist temple in the background is on Bulgan Mountain (Булган уул).

http://eye-of-tengri.deviantart.com/art/Mongolian-Yaks-560364757

http://eye-of-tengri.deviantart.com/art/Mongolian-Yaks-II-560366511