Abshir-Sai, translated from Tajik, means water-milk source
The Abshir-Sai area is a picturesque canyon-like gorge located seventy kilometers from the city of Osh.
The bottom of the gorge lies at an altitude of 1500 to 2500 meters above sea level.
The picturesque canyon, formed by the river of the same name and framed by sheer cliffs, is a unique natural monument. The current here is quite turbulent, and the waterfalls of this river present an impressive sight. The waters of the Abshir-Sai River have healing and health-improving properties. Ephemeral plants and juniper grow here. The name of the area, translated from Tajik, means water-milk source.
From a sheer hundred-meter wall, at a height of 12-15 meters, a stream of water bursts through a round hole about two meters in diameter, enveloped in clouds of water vapor.
One of the legends states that in ancient times, Kyrgyz people lived in the gorge, and during that time, the population suffered greatly. But one day a traveler came to them and said that he was a messenger of God. The people doubted: "If you are holy, perform some miracle." Then the visitor struck his staff against the rock, and milk flowed from it. The residents were overjoyed and blessed this place. Believers from all over the world came to see and worship the miraculous source.
However, people became so accustomed to this miracle that they stopped cherishing it; women began to wash clothes in the holy source. The higher powers grew angry, and one day the mountaineers discovered that instead of milk, ordinary water was gushing from the rock!
Even today, people believe that this is a holy place and that one should go there only with pure thoughts and an open heart.
The water of the waterfall is considered holy and has healing properties. Pilgrims come from afar to bathe in the spray of the waterfall and collect water in bottles.
In the Abshir-Sai valley, one can find rock paintings. One group is located 5 km south of the village of Kek-Djar, and another is 20 km south of the Abshir-Sai waterfall, at the source of the river. There are several caves: Khurkhiz and Chillyakana, as well as the Duldul Ata rock, which is a sacred site.
Nearby is also the Kotur-Bulak spring, which bursts from a huge karst grotto. The Kotur-Bulak spring is also considered sacred. Tourists who visit it often throw coins there for good luck.
Also, 10 kilometers from the waterfall is a small lake of debris origin, near which one can find long-abandoned adits where various minerals, fluorite, and fluorspar were mined in the 1950s, which are beautiful cubic crystals of different colors. The water in the lake is very cold.
In the Abshir-Sai area, there are works of rock painting – sites of primitive human habitation.
