Lasharis-Jvari and Tamaris-Hati: Georgia’s Mountain Shrines

The Lasharis-Jvari Chapel is located in the rear part of Pshavi, on the right bank of the upper Aragvi River, far from the settlement, between the settlements of Khoshari and Tsitelauri, on the so-called Khmelgora ("dry mountain"), or Lashar Mountain, and covers an area of ​​0.75 hectares. The chapel grounds are surrounded by a fortified wall erected in the river forest. Near the wall stands the Lashari Chapel, a domed structure supported by four columns with a tin roof.

In the chapel, the 12 main Pshavi tribes prayed to common deities: the deity of war, Lashari, and the goddess of healing and fertility, Tamara (Akimmedopali). Besides Pshavi, the cult of Lashari was also widespread in Tusheti, Khevsureti, and among neighboring tribes and the mountaineers of the North Caucasus. Lasharis-Jvari was considered one of the wealthiest deities, possessing numerous treasures donated to him (including by kings), territories, and vineyards in Kakheti. According to Vakhushti Bagrationi, Lasharis-Jvari was founded by King Giorgi-Lasha (1210-1223). However, in terms of its functions, linguistic and ethnographic research suggests that Lashari was the name of a pagan deity, which merged with the cult of King Giorgi as the "sword of the messiah," a liberator, and a leader of the army.

The Lasharob ritual (the service to Lashari) begins with the sacrifice of calves (the sacrificial animals were slaughtered directly by the elder and chief priest of the cult in the "khevisberi" gorge), followed by a blessing. Mferkhavi (people who bring good luck) dance the "Perkhuli." In the evening, the worshipers descend to the banks of the Aragvi, where they spend the night in revelry. The next morning, they ascend to Tamargele (to the icon of Queen Tamar).

Opposite Lasharis-Jvari, on the summit of a forested mountain, stands the walled chapel of Tamaris-Khati. Inside the chapel is the Divine Floodplain, desecrating which means condemning oneself to a curse. The slope of the eastern fence is leveled with rubble stone. Benches for worshipers project from the wall. To the south of the wall is the house for the chapel's cleric's banners, as well as qvevris (wine storage vessels) containing Cahors wine. A separate brewery house stands apart. Two bell towers are built into the wall: one is a domed stone tower, plastered with lime, with two large bells; the other is wooden. Icons are enshrined in the walls at the entrance, and an altar is also located there.