Alvand, a symbol of Ecbatana's endurance

Extracted from Rasekhoon
Mount Alvand is made of granite rocks, which is not an individual mount opposite of common ideas and it is a mass of several mountains.
The mountain range is located in western Iran and in the province of Hamedan, known as Alvand. This name is commonly referred to as Arvand in Iranian Islamic sources. Meanwhile, it is named after Alwand, Aravand and Uniran. This name is in the form of alvand in the Middle Persian and its older word in the Avesta is called Eureont, which means sharp, brave and gladiator.
Of course, there are other meanings for Alvand, including highlighting and wishing, honor, glory and beauty, experience and testing.
The Greeks call Alvand as Oronteh (Orontes). Although this name has been given to Zagros too. Alvand in the ancient Armenian language has remained as last name of individuals, both as Arvand and Arvand. Meanwhile, it is likely that the White Mountains, the inscriptions of Bisotun and the mountains of Sarv Kouhi in legends of Gilgamesh, are the same as Alvand Kouh.
Alvand Kuh consists of a granite mass (Ghar), which, contrary to what they have thought, is not a single peak, like Damavand or Sabalan, but a mass of output from several peaks. In Avesta, Alvand has 8 peaks. This mountain range is located between the central Iranian sedimentary structures and the Zagros folded formations, with a length of the main mass from Hamadan to Tuyserkan about 40 kilometers and a width of 10 kilometers. Alvand the extends from the northwest towards southeast, and from northwest due to low altitude it joins to the heights of Panjeh Ali, and on the other side it joins the Makeri Mountains, and on the other side to Malayer. The age of Alvand is 64 to 70 million years old and belongs to the lower Paleocene. The process of its formation is associated with the subtraction of the main mass and the digestion of peripheral rocks, and is separated from these major intrusive masses of the veins of pegmatite, quartz and gabbro diorite.
The most famous passes of Alvand mountains are Asadabad pass in the northwest, and Zagheh pass in the south-east of this mountain range. The height of the Alvand mountain range is said in different numbers apparently due to the magnitude of a particular peak. The tallest peak of Alvand is 3,580 meters high. Other important peaks are Fakhrabad Mountains 3 thousand and 370 meters, Gavbar (Gubar-Jubar) 3 thousand 395 meters, Sorkh Bolagh 2 thousand 730 meters.
summits of Mount Aland are covered by Daem Barf in most of the months. Hamdollah Mostofi, referring to the same principle in 740 AH, wrote: "its summit has never been empty of Daem Barf."
Although the main core of Alvand is made of Granite, valuable rocky materials, including quartzite (in the mountains) and marble are found in different colors. The rocks used in the temple of Anahita (Kangavar) in the past and the rocks of the tomb of Bou-Ali Sinai (Hamadan) in the contemporary period have been obtained from this mountain.
The Alvand mountain range receives Mediterranean rainy clouds due to its location, which is the reason for relatively high precipitation and Daem Barf storms, which in fact plays the role of feeding many springs and rivers.
The source of many small and large rivers in the Gulf basin and Central Iran is Alvand Mountain. The Zarrine River or the Ghorasu is made from bonding of northern slope channels, and from the gathering of the waters of the southern and western slopes, Gemasiab (Gamasab) forms. Almost all the rivers that originate from Alvand have a seasonal system, they dry out for some time, or reach their lowest levels. Alvand's small and local rivers include Abbas Abad, Ebro, Simin, Khoshbab, Dareh Dehnan and Khorramrud. From the distant past, dams were made on the slopes of the Alvand to collect and guide the water to down, which often disappeared over time; Ghezel Hesar, Dareh Dehanan and Sharra dams are among them.
In addition, there are many springs on the slopes of the Alvand, some of which have been mentioned in historic books and say 12,000 springs came from slopes of the mountain. Also, the number of springs of Alvand Kuh is written 24,000 and the number of its rivers 42.
Hamdollah Mostofi in his book calls Alvand mountain's springs as Mala and the Ibn-e-Faqih (3rd century AD) writes: "In all the mountains of the world, water rises from the slopes of the mountain, except in the Alvand Mountains, where water flows from the highest parts. It seems that the ibn-e faqih meant the springs called Hoze Nabi (Shah Alvand) in the 150-200m altitude of Alvand peak. Justi calls this spring Var Zerrin Mand. Avannd kouh rocky and rough slopes are free from tree vegetation, and only in the valleys and shrubs there is plant vegetation, in a way that the valleys are usually green. Some slopes are also full of medicinal herbs. Apparently in the past, Alvand Mountain has had a significant tree cover that has been lost over time. This cover is from low-density oak forests. in the 7th century AD Yaghut also has described Alvand kooh as a green Mount covered with refreshing plants. They also wrote that wood from Alvand trees was used in Hegmataneh (Ekbatan) buildings.
The special position of Alvand Kouh and its placement on one of the most important points on the ancient Persian way that connected Iran to Mesopotamia has led to the formation of large and small habitats in various slopes around this mountain range, all of which have a history and historical significance.
According to the old written reports water of Hamadan, Kangavar, Asadabad, Twe and Sarkan (today's Toyserkan) were prepared by trouble from the rivers and streams of Alvand Kuh. Another ancient pass through Alvand (the Abbas Abad valley) connected Hamadan to Lorestan and Khuzestan.
Alvand Kuh has been a temporary resident of nomads who spent summer quarters there for a long period of time, so that Polak introduces a number of Kurds as residents of there. The unknown author of the Mojmal al-Tawarikh refers to the summer residence of Khosrau Parviz in Alvand Kuh in places known as "Dokan Khosrow" and "Kam Khosrow". Nowadays Alvand mountain ranges are a summer place of two clans of Turkashvand and the independent tribe of Jamur (Jomhur). Meanwhile, families from the Turkish-speaking clan, Yarem Tazlaglu, also spend some time in Alvand Kouh. In recent decades, the expansion of settling lifestyle based on farming, especially in the valley and mountain range, has led to the disappearance of economy based on livestock and migration.
The remains of the Alvand Mountain and surrounding area show the ancient life and human activity in the area. According to Morgan, between the walls of the city and the Alvand foot, there are very rich archeological sites that, during the Qajar period, provided them for gold searchers (the gold rush) by receiving an amount of money.
Aside from the place Ganj Name, an old settlement, which has disappeared over time, in the southwestern slopes of Alvand, in the valley called Ruye Delavar, it is likely that there was a relatively populous city where signs and coins of various periods were found in theer. Moreover, in the Velasjerd valley (valashgurd), the remains of the Parthian palace or temple and the remains of its foundations and capitals have been found. The remains of Anahita Temple in Kangavar are from the same remains.
It has been written that Ibn Sina has been searching for herbs for some time on this mountain. In addition, Alvand Kuh has long been the shelter of various individuals and groups due to its natural and defensive position. At the time of the reign of Sultan Mas'ud bin Mohammad Seljukhi, his brother Toghral Chendi settled in Alvand. In addition, Shah Nematullah Vali (8th century AD) spent 80 days in worship and austerity on Alvand Mountain. Fatha'ali Shah Qajar also took refuge in the mount while campaign to Baghdad (1237 BC) to protect himself from the cholera disease, and Abbas Mirza was treating him there for 40 days.
Alvand has been described by names of Alvandieh in Persian poetry and literature, and as a symbol of glory and majesty, and a symbol of watery, greenery, and is also praised in Arabic poetry and literature.
In the southern valley of the Alvand, there is a springs flowing from granite rock, which is considered to be unique among the numerous springs of Alvand. Local people believe that the source is from Paradise, and therefore it is called Behesht Aab (water of heaven). They believe that the water of the spring is healing, as far as the Ibn-e-Faqih writes: the water of this spring flows from a rocky crack in a certain amount of time. They have also said that the water of this spring increases or decreases in proportion to the number of populations round it! Even a poet has said that a gate to Paradise opens from the bottom of the Alvand valley. There are also such beliefs about the Shah Alvand spring (Hawza Nabi) as well.
There are two inscriptions from the Achaemenid era in cuneiform in the southwest of Hamadan on Mount Alvand, and in 3 languages (Babylon, Elamite, and Ancient Persia). Apparently, Ibn-e faqih is the first one to refer to these inscriptions. These two inscriptions, known as Ganj Nameh, are about 2 meters tall. Nasser-al-Din Shah at the time of visiting them (1287 AH), announced the existence of a ruined castle above the mountain overlooking the inscriptions, adding that during his visit to Alvand, some were engaged in gold rush and they had found all sorts of gold and silver and several coins.
Emamzadeh Kuh or Emamzadeh Mohsen are remained from the Islamic period, 14 km west of Hamedan, and on slope of Alvand, which consists of large iwan, Shahneshin, two brick domes and Haram. This Imamzade is respected by the villagers and residents of Hamedan. The floor of Imam Zadeh's area was rugged with small rugs in the size of 30 to 40 cm, which the villagers wove and gave to Imam Zadeh after they had fulfilled their needs. The history of the wooden box and the embossment of this Imamzadeh is 935 AH, although the construction of the first building of the Imam Zadeh is attributed to 7th century AH. In the vicinity of the Behesht Aab, there is a carved stone that is inconsistent with other rocks that is called the cradle of Mary and respected by the people. Also, one of the glaciers of Alvand Mountain is called the glacier of the Prophet Sahib Al-Zaman (AS). Takht -e- Nader that is a fairly large flat on the Alvand peak and is called like this due to staying of Nader in this mountain. In addition, in the distance between the Alvand peak and the famous Tuyserkan cemetery, there are remains of a castle that is known as Qez Qale Si (Qaleh Dokhtar). By observing the remains of fronts and great stone stairs the castle can be attributed to the ancient era.