Shaman stone - Angara, Natural monument at Lake Baikal, Russia
The Shaman Stone is a natural monument on the Angara River at its source from Lake Baikal, rising about 1.5 meters above water. The rock sits in the riverbed and is visible from both banks of the waterway.
The monument was significantly larger before the hydroelectric station was built in the 1950s, rising more than 3 meters above the water. The dam construction permanently altered the water level of the Angara.
The rock holds spiritual meaning for the Buryat people as the home of a river guardian spirit. Today, visitors notice how this stone remains woven into conversations and local traditions around the Angara source.
The best views of the stone are from the Alexander Vampilov monument in Listvyanka village or from the Chersky Rock observation point. Planning the visit works well if you combine it with other stops along the Baikal shoreline.
During winter, the stone creates a sharp boundary between the frozen lake and the flowing river, as the moving water prevents ice from forming at the source. This effect shows how water movement influences the local climate.
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