Where is Ötüken Place and Why Ötüken's place is importance for Turks? from Onur Türk's blog

Ötüken has a very important place in Turkish history as it was the capital of the first Turkish states. Ötüken, which is considered the center of the world according to traditional Turkish belief, gained special importance especially during the Gokturk period and went down in history as a place where very important decisions were made.

Since Ötüken, the sacred place of the Turks, is frequently encountered in old texts, there are many curious details about the city of Ötüken. So, where is Ötüken, in which country is it now? What is the importance of Ötüken for the Turks? Answers to all your questions like these…

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Among the Central Asian Turks, Ötüken is considered a sacred and lofty mountain. As a sign of the love and respect shown to this region, the Turks made offerings and sacrificed animals. Ötüken, the capital of the Turks, is built on high plateaus and is known as a castle that is very difficult to overcome due to the rivers and mountains around it.

Since this mountain has hosted many nations in history and was considered the center of the world, there were some beliefs at that time that it would be bad luck for the city to be captured by others. It is a matter of curiosity where Ötüken, which was not only the capital of the Turks but also a source of spiritual strength, is now.

WHERE IS ÖTÜKEN?

Which country is Ötüken in now? The question is a matter of curiosity for many people as it is an extremely important place in our history. Ötüken is located close to the sources of the Orkhon River, which is currently located within the border of Mongolia and Russia.

Ötüken Mountain, covered with forests, was a central location where the ammunition and many needs of the Turkish armies living in the steppe were met. It was considered sacred for the Huns, then the Gokturks, and then the Civilians. The loyalty of the Turks to Ötüken enabled them to regroup and establish a state even when they were at their weakest and most vulnerable, and the flags of the states have flown here many times.

Ötüken is a sacred city in Mongolian, Central Asian and Turkish history. Although it is mentioned as U-te-kien in Chinese sources, it can also be expressed as Ötügen. It is known as the Tengrism belief of the Turks and the name given to Mother Earth depending on this belief. Ötüken's current name is still the same today.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF ÖTÜKEN FOR TURKS?

Ötüken is a place that first served as the capital of the Hun State, as it is a strategic and economic place. Later, it served as the capital of the first and second Göktürk Empire and the Uyghur state. This is a position that poses an obstacle for China because it poses a danger to these states. Due to this strategic importance, Ötüken is an important place in history.

It was seen as a center where important decisions were made, especially during the period when the Oghuzs continued their sovereignty. Sacrifices for the Earth and Sky gods were offered here and it was an ammunition point for the needs of the Turkish armies. Ötüken forest, or in other words Ötüken Yış, covered with thick and large trees; It was considered sacred by the Gokturks, Huns and Uighurs.

Ötüken, which is the subject of Göktürk inscriptions, is expressed as Yış Budum, that is, the Nation of the sacred Ötüken Forest. The city, which was important as the first capital of the Turks, was seen as a center of the world. For this reason, it was important that the center of the Turkish states, which aimed to become a world state, was also the center of the world. In short, the state that dominated Central Asia had to choose Ötüken as its capital. Because Ötüken was a place where the world was closest to God and God was closest to the world.

On the other hand, Ötüken, which served as the strategic and spiritual capital of the Turks, instilled moral strength in them regardless of the situation and allowed them to take steps to establish states in unity and solidarity.