"And now we will go with you to Belukha," grandfather mysteriously smiled. "We are going to breathe the healing mountain air, the aromas of pine needles and various meadow grasses.
"Who is this Belukha?" Sanzhar didn't understand. He frowned thoughtfully.
"A legendary mountain, a real beauty," said grandfather admiringly. "It is located on the territory of the modern Kazakhstan Altai, that stretches all the way to the Zaisan basin."
"How big is the mountain?" the boy asked.
"It is the highest peak of Altai and Siberia, world-famous," said grandfather.
"Belukha - because it is white?" Sanzhar guessed.
"It simply blinds the eyes with its whiteness, because it is covered with eternal snow and ice. Even the hot sun cannot melt them," Grandpa responded. "The mountain top never gets exposed and sticks out like an ear. That's why people called it Belukha. A poet would say that snow is white clothes - lush, like a fur coat of a Yeti - that are thrown over the graceful shoulders of the mountain."
"Yeti? Wow!" Sanzhar began to smile excitedly. "Is there any legend about Belukha mountain?"
"Anything related to Belukha has long been shrouded in legends and secrets," grandfather assured.
"And what did the Kazakhs call Belukha?" the boy asked.
"The Kazakhs called the mountain 'Muz Tau' or 'Muz Tau shyny'," - grandfather answered. "Now, let's try to translate this into Russian!"
"Tau" – "mountain","muz" – "ice","shyn" – "glass," Sanzhar blurted out quickly. "Right, grandpa?
"Right, however, the word 'shyny' also has the meaning of "true, genuine, real," grandfather began teaching his grandson. "Think of how to put all these words together!"
"A real icy mountain"? - the boy gave out his version.
"Good job, ainalayin!" grandfather praised him and continued his story: "The locals treat the mountain respectfully, considering it the queen of the Altai Mountains – a captivating mistress, a huge giantess that is higher than the standing forest and lower than the walking cloud. For them, the mistress of the mountain is a mysterious living thing that attracts people like a magnet. And the old-timers feel a strong emotional thrill whenever they look up at her." "Why, Grandpa?" Sanzhar wondered.
"According to legend, to avoid incurring the wrath of the gods, one should approach the regal peak only with pure thoughts" grandfather said didactically. "There was a belief that the mountain is a refuge of formidable forces. Within its icy halls dwells the mighty mountain spirit Erlik – a silent witness of the past, who protects the mountain by throwing down a lot of snow, and can punish anyone who dares to climb Belukha without humility in his heart."
"What is the punishment?" Sanzhar squinted at his grandfather in disbelief.
"Avalanches, rockfalls and landslides" he explained.
"Is the mountain really that dangerous?" Sanzhar raised his eyebrows in surprise. "According to the degree of danger, Belukha is among the first in the world," confirmed grandfather. "And what do scientists say about this? Sanzhar asked.
"Scientists say the Belukha area lies within a zone of increased seismic activity – small earthquakes frequently occur here, causing cracks in the Belukha ice cover, and then snow avalanches fall from it," Sanzhar's grandpa stopped to catch his breath, and then continued: "Old-timers say the mountain has some special effect, perceptible even at a considerable distance from the foot. The mountain can't, like in a fairy tale, say: 'Don't climb to my top!'. But in case of danger, it always gives a sign: 'Do not come near me!'. If a person does not understand this, then he is walking towards his death. Everyone has their own destiny, and the mountain tries to suggest another option to people. If a climber who dreams of conquering the peaks of Belukha listens to this hint, he remains alive."
"Is it true that you can make a wish at the foot, and it will definitely come true?" Sanzhar looked at his grandfather slyly.
"Many folks still believe that," he said thoughtfully and, shrugging his shoulders, added: "People make a wish while contemplating a beautiful mountain peak and its snow clouds."
... From a height of several thousand meters, Mount Belukha looks at the surrounding mountain region. In the morning, she bathes in fog, and in the afternoon, shaking her snow cap, looks into the Yazevoye Lake shaded by tall cedars. Huntsmen say that the green algae on its bottom have healing properties. Larch and spruce trees grow in the surroundings.
The multi-peaked mountain stands in the heart of the ancient Altai Mountains, near the intersection of the borders of four countries: Kazakhstan, Russia, China and Mongolia. The winds of Eurasia swirl clockwise over it and form a spiral resembling the sacred sign of the Buddhists – the forces of light and sky - Yang.
There is an interesting hypothesis that the Belukha caves spread for several thousand kilometers under the continent and are connected with the caves of Tibet. Here, according to Buddhist legends, there was a spiritual kingdom of the gods - Shambhala - a paradise where people fall after death. And the Old Believers of Orthodox Christianity believed that somewhere near there is a happy kingdom of Belovodye, which not everyone can get into.
"Such a mysterious place!" Sanzhar admired.
"The paths of many cultures and faiths converge here," grandfather continued.
Belukha mountain is called one of the main centers of the world – the hub of the universe, because it is approximately equally distant from the four oceans of the world – indian, Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific. Many people believe that this is not an ordinary mountain, it's more like an antenna that receives cosmic energy. This unusual energy endows the mountain with a unique gift to revitalize and purify the human soul, arouse spiritual uplift, give people a charge of health and vigor of extraordinary strength.
"That's what a wonderful mountain it is," grandfather summed up. "When I first saw Belukha, I was delighted. I felt that at the foot of the mountain there is an atmosphere of openness and fraternity with everyone who is nearby, even with strangers. And I believe that the mountain only loves those with a high soul.
"What do you mean by that?" the boy asked in surprise.
"It likes people with a pure, honorable soul," Grandpa explained. "Belukha does not allow those who do evil even in the foothills. But don't you be afraid! You're a good kid, aren't you?"
"I will be happy to see Belukha!" Sanzhar said softly.
