Mount Damavand

Found in: Mountains of Iran Volcanoes of Iran

Mount Damavand also known as Donbavand, is a dormant volcano and the highest peak in Iran with a special place in the Persian mythology and folklore. Located in the middle Alborz Range, adjacent to Vararu, Sesang, Gol-e Zard and Mianrud, it is the highest point in the Middle East and the highest volcano in all of Asia.

Though not volcanically active, there are fumaroles near the summit crater that deposit sulfur, which were most recently known to be active since July 6, 2007.

The mountain is located near the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, in Amol county, Mazandaran, 66 kilometres (41 miles) northeast of Tehran.

Symbolism and mythology

Damavand is, as any cursory reading of Persian literature will indicate, the Mount Olympus of Persian mythology.Milani, A. Lost Wisdom. 2004. Washington. ISBN 0934211906 p.67

Damavand is the symbol of Iranian resistance against foreign rule in Persian poetry and literature. In Zoroastrian texts and mythology, the three-headed dragon Azi Dahaka was chained within Mount Damavand, there to remain until the end of the world. In a later version of the same legend, the tyrant Zahhak was also chained in a cave somewhere in mount Damavand after being defeated by Kaveh and Fereydun. Damavand is also significant to the Iranian legend of Arash. The mountain is said to hold magical powers in the Sahnameh.

The famous poem Damavand by Mohammad Taqi Bahar is one of the finest examples of the mountain's place in Persian literature.

The first verse of this poem is:

Ay dive sepide pai dar band,Oh white demon with feet in chains Ay gonbade giti, ay DamavandOh terrestrial dome, Oh Mount Damavand

Routes to the summit

The best major settlement for mountain climbers is the new Iranian Mountain Federation Camp in Polour village, located on the south of the mountain.

There are at least 16 known routes [*] 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 called Bargah Sevom Camp /Shelter [*] at 4220 m . 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 , a two-story shelter. The western route is famous for its sunset view. Simorgh shelter in this route at 4100 m is a newly constructed shelter with two stories. There is a frozen waterfall / Icefall [*](Persian name Abshar Yakhi)about 12m tall and the elevation of 5100m is the highest fall in Iran and Middle East.

Nomination as National Heritage Site

An anthropologist of Mazandaran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department, Touba Osanlou, has said that a proposal has been made by a group of Iranian mountaineers to register the highest peak in the Middle East, Mount Damavand as a national heritage site.

Mazandaran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department has accepted the proposal, the Persian daily Jam-e Jam reported.

Osanlou noted that the Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization is presently in the process of renaming an upcoming ancient festivity after Mount Damavand.

"We have proposed Tirgan Festivity, Tabari Nowruz, to be named as Damavand National Day," he added.

Tirgan Festivity is held in Amol Countys Rineh region in Mazandaran province.

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