Garadash pilgrimage

In the village of Babajan (Gizilkand since 15.07.1946), Basakechar district, Goycha mahal

Basarkechar district since 11.06.1969 – Vardenis, Babajan village – Tsapatagh since 19.04.1991

Architecture

After the deportation of Azerbaijanis from their historical lands in 1987-1991, the sacred place was appropriated by Armenians, and Azerbaijanis were no longer allowed to visit the it by the Armenian authorities

The Garadash sanctuary was located on the border between the villages of Jil and Babajan. The Garadash pilgrimage, made of a large black stone, located in a hilly area, is a religious monument representing the sacred faith of the people. The villagers of both regions of the district (Chambarak and Basarkechar) used to make intentions, make vows, and make sacrifices to the shrine. The survivors of the population who left the village during the Armenian genocide in 1905-1907 returned to their native villages in the spring of 1907. There were about 30-40 houses and a population of 100-120 people in the village. During the second refugee period in 1918-1920, the village population settled in Samukh, Shamkir and other places. The village population returned to their native village in the spring of 1921, and a small part remained in those places. The village had about 70-80 houses and a population of about 260-280 people. During the III exile in 1948-1953, the village population resisted the anti-Turkish policy of the Armenian Dashnaks and did not take sides. The village had 90-100 houses and a population of about 300350 people. About 200 Azerbaijani families lived in the village until 1988.

Its full name is Babajan valley. In a source from 1728, it was mentioned as the name of a village in the Girkhbulag district. The village was created in the Babajan valley. The valley belonged to Babajan, the landowner. The village of Babajan was founded at the beginning of the XVIII century (1715). Until that time, Albanian, Turkish, and Oghuz tribes lived in the village.