Jeyrakh-Assin Reserve
Jeyrakh-Assin Reserve

The Jeyrakh-Assin historical, architectural and natural museum-reserve is located within the boundaries of the Jeyrakh district of the Republic of Ingushetia on the northern slopes of the foothills of the Central part of the Greater Caucasus Range. The reserve was established on June 2, 1988. The area of the reserve is slightly more than 627 square kilometers. The activity of the reserve is aimed at ensuring the preservation, restoration and study of territorial complexes of cultural and natural heritage, material and spiritual values in their traditional historical (cultural and natural) environment. On the territory of the museum-reserve there are 122 ancient architectural complexes, including more than 2,670 objects of cultural significance, including defensive and residential towers, burial crypts, Christian and pagan sanctuaries and temples. The oldest buildings of the megalithic type belong to the middle of the second millennium BC. Every year, significant scientific discoveries are made on the territory of the reserve, new objects are identified, archaeological expeditions are constantly working, scientists from all over the world come. Since 1996, the reserve has been a candidate for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Significant value in the reserve is given to work on creating conditions for the development of organized tourism, its educational and service component.

The Magotinsky temple-sanctuary “Mago-Erdy” is located half a kilometer from the tower complex “Magote,” on the edge of a huge cliff, and is named after the legendary Ingush sage Mago, who, according to legend, built it. Nearby is the smaller and now semi-ruined sanctuary “Seska Sols-Erda.”

According to legend, Mago was from the Salgiev clan and had his own slaves. Mago also had a strong army. Leaving his tower, Mago would sit in his stone chair, which is still there today.

Mago had one son, who eventually had four sons: Zovra, Giy, Tsikkam, and Chinha.

The Dzaur family descended from Zovr, while the Tumgoev family descended from Giy. The Ozdoyev family traces its origins back to Tsikam. Chinkha fled to Chechnya out of fear of his brothers for some misdeed he had committed, and the Chinkhoev family descended from him.

Mago was known throughout the Caucasus as a scholar, saint, healer, and preacher.

His life and social activities have been little studied, except for the legends and traditions described in some publications. Oral traditions say that relics and an ancient book of secret knowledge were kept inside the temple, which, after the Ingush converted to Islam, were taken to neighboring provinces - Georgia, Armenia, and Ossetia.

The ancient sacred book was called “Mag1oy Zhey,” meaning the book of Mago. According to another version, the book was transferred to the Terek Museum, from where it disappeared during the Civil War.

The Mago-Erdy sanctuary is one of the largest religious monuments built in ancient times.

It is located within the boundaries of the Dzejrakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve, is included in the list of identified cultural heritage sites of the Republic of Ingushetia, and is subject to state protection.

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