Telugari Spring

Telugari Spring is one of the lesser-known natural attractions of Natanz County in Isfahan Province. It lies in the highlands south of the summer-pasture village of Tarqrud, within the Yahya Abad area. Beyond its natural value, the spring has long held a special place in the religious beliefs and culture of the local people, and it has always been regarded by the villagers as one of their sacred sites. The water has a bitter, slightly salty taste, probably due to mineral compounds such as sulfur or metallic salts. The mountain landscape, the quiet of the surroundings and the views around it have made this area an appealing destination for lovers of nature tourism and rural tourism.

One of the unique features of Telugari Spring is its three natural pools connected to one another, which the water enters after bubbling out of a crack in the rock. According to local accounts, the water temperature differs from pool to pool: one holds cool water, another lukewarm and the third warm. After the water leaves the last pool, it flows into rocky hollows that the locals attribute to the hoofprints of an Imamzadeh's horse. In the old beliefs of the region, the sulfurous mud and silt on the bottom of the pools also had healing properties and was used to ease certain physical aches. About 500 metres south of the spring there is also a small hollow where water always flows, and local stories say it is where that Imamzadeh's food spread was laid out. Although these stories have no documented historical basis, they are part of the oral culture and local identity of the region.

To reach Telugari Spring, first travel to the village of Tarqrud in Natanz County, then continue along the route into the highlands south of Yahya Abad. Part of the route is a local road, and the rest requires walking in mountainous terrain, so suitable footwear and drinking water are recommended. The best time to visit is spring and early summer, when the landscape is greener and the weather is more pleasant. Unfortunately, mining activity in recent years has affected part of the natural scenery of the area. Visitors can therefore play an effective role in preserving this valuable natural and cultural heritage by practising responsible nature tourism, not leaving litter, not damaging the spring, and respecting the cultural beliefs of the local people.