Thousands of Yörüks preserved a 7-century-old tradition at the summit of Mount Sanrıdas, which is 2300 meters high.

The 7-century-old Kartal Lake and Eren Day events organized by Beyağaç Municipality in Denizli took place with wide participation. The Yörüks, who spent the night in tents set up by the lakeside of Kartal Lake at the summit of Sanrıdas Mountain at an altitude of 2300 meters, prayed for abundance and health at the shrine of Eren Dede, which they reached by walking along a path.

The Kartal Lake and Eren Day events, held at the summit of Sandıras Mountain at an altitude of 2300 meters in Beyağaç district of Denizli, have been celebrated for 7 centuries and took place this year with intense participation. The traditional events hosted by Beyağaç Municipality brought together thousands of Yörüks from different regions of Turkey. The Yörüks, who camped in tents around Kartal Lake at the mountain’s summit, enjoyed entertaining moments with the concert organized by the municipality featuring Sadi Cesuroğlu.

Despite being August, thousands of people spent a cool night and reached the Eren Dede shrine at the summit of Çiçek Baba by walking along a path of approximately 5 kilometers early in the morning. After prayers at the head of the grave, which is 42 meters long and 4 meters wide, sacrifices were made. Participants of all ages, from 7 to 70, returned to Kartal Lake via the same route after visiting the shrine. Beyağaç Mayor Sezayi Pütün, along with Tavas Mayor Kadir Tatık, visited the participants in their tents.

“I hope this event continues for centuries to come”

Indicating that participation in the Kartal Lake and Eren Day events was significantly higher this year than in previous years, Beyağaç Mayor Sezayi Pütün said, “This event has been going on for a long time, approximately 700-800 years. We gathered around Kartal Lake since last night. There were some fun moments there. This morning, with the first light of dawn, we set off towards the Eren Dede shrine. We are still halfway through. Water used to flow here in the past. We would rest for 5 minutes and then continue our way, but this year, due to the hot weather, the water has dried up. Now we will continue on our way. Soon we will be at the Eren Dede shrine. We will pray there. Afterwards, we will perform a thankfulness prayer and return to Kartal Lake. Some of our citizens are trying to collect soil and stones in bags. They will mix the soil they collect into their own fields. They will also place the stones inside their grain storage. It is believed that the soil taken from here will bring abundance to the fields, and the stones placed in the storage will increase the prosperity of the harvest. Prayers are made at the head of the grave at the summit for wishes to be fulfilled, and sacrifices are made for a healthy and good life. People who come here believe that the rituals they perform bring them abundance, health, and happiness throughout the year. God willing, this event will still be held 700 years from now,” he said.

As every year, Ahmet Akakça, who set up his tent by the Kartal Lake this year, said, “I came here again as I do every year for a traditional Eren festival. We are currently in the resting area. We woke up early in the morning. We all went to the place where the Eren Dede shrine is. We made our prayers there. We brought our offerings. We just made sacrifices, and we will eat together with pleasure. Kartal Lake is the highest point here and one of the most comfortable camping areas. We have been doing our best for many years to pass this special festival on to future generations along with our municipality and participants. We come for a purpose. We don’t just come to have fun; we come to participate in this festival.”