Tashtar-ATA (Kyrgyz "the Father of Stones"), or in other words "Salvation Mountain", is a man – made mound of rounded stones, which is located in the center of the homonymous mountain plateau on the border of the Tien Shan and Chu valley, 10 km from Bishkek – capital of Kyrgyzstan. In 2005 the administration of the Alamedin district of Chui province, which is Tashtar-ATA, skidded uphill in modern cartography of Kyrgyzstan on the basis of historical and cultural examination carried out by Professor Jenishbek Nazaraliev.

Ancient legends and myths in the case Tashtar-ATA inseparable from historical facts. In oral folk art Tashtar-ATA acquires an aura of mystery; the mountain appears as a place to send prayers and religious rituals. In 329 BC, the troops of Alexander the great invaded Central Asia. Near the present location of the Tashtar-ATA Macedon erected a fortress city – Alexandria Eskhata. From here he continued to lead his soldiers to the East to create a great Empire.

One of the legends tells that the great defender of the Kyrgyz people Batyr Tashtar-ATA 40 days and 40 nights fought with the forces of evil for the freedom and prosperity of the beautiful fertile valleys, lying in the foothills. Warrior won, lay down to rest after the battle and fell asleep forever. Through the centuries on the spot where Hercules died, remained majestic stone, embodying the power of the spirit of the warrior. According to legend, since whoever brings the rock up the hill and throws it on the mound Tashtar-ATA with a prayer for happiness, finds peace of mind. Confirmation of the relevance of the ancient tradition is man-made mound.

From the foot of the plateau to the barrow-paved stone staircase with 365 steps. It symbolizes the path of inner purification. According to the legend, with each stage carrying up his stone became closer to the cure for their problems.

The stone balbals on Tashtar-ATA act as gatekeepers. Researchers have still not come to a consensus, what are these stone statues carved by ancient masters: the incarnation of the deceased ancestor, the personification of the enemy killed or conventional hitching post. These statues scattered on a vast territory from Mongolia to the southern Russian steppes, there are between 9 to 15 centuries.

Built near Tashtar-ATA fireplace was the place where according to legend the ancient shamans in their ritual rites prayed for the spirits of the ancestors, asking him to deliver from the invasions of foreigners or to protect from drought the crops and livestock from disease. Prayed for the salvation of souls, as it was believed that the fire its light purified the mind of the worshippers. Firewood is used by tourists and pilgrims for the burning in the flames of some of their things from their old life. It symbolically turns to ash memory of a failed past.

Persistent prickly survivor – hawthorn was considered by many peoples as a sacred talisman. Tying a strip of cloth on its branches, the people attached to his strength and resilience. This tradition continues to the present time in different Nations of the world with different religions. Knotting his strong knot on one of the branches of the hawthorn, the person assigns forever in the subconscious of its decision to change your life for the better.

In June of 2013 at mount Tashtar-ATA was opened spiritual and architectural complex, consisting of four religious buildings. Jewish and Muslim prayer rooms, a Christian chapel and a Buddhist stupa was reconstructed on the initiative of Professor Nazaraliev. The basis for their construction was fragmentary information about the existence of chapels and prayer rooms key world religions on the silk Road – trading route between Europe and Asia, in the area of modern Tashtar-ATA. On 26 June 2013, official representatives of religious confessions of Kyrgyzstan consecrated buildings, and read prayers over them.

The majority of tourists and pilgrims from other countries Mountain Rescue Tashtar-ATA is known due to its sacred importance, myths, and legends. More than ten years to the foot Tashtar-ATA flock of people, each with their problem and installation, but all in the hope of miraculous action, be it poor health, gaining and maintaining fitness, psychological disorder, rejuvenation, or infertility. For healing come to the mountain, even with small children.

In recent times, the mountain often climb addicts hoping to get rid of drugs and to start a new life. Annually Tashtar-ATA is visited by several thousand tourists and pilgrims.