Narges Lu Olya Village

Narges Lu Olya (Upper Narges Lu) is a village in Badranlu Rural District, in the Central District of Bojnord County, North Khorasan Province. It lies 6 km south of Badranlu and about 35 km west of Bojnord, roughly 3 km south of the paved Bojnord–Gorgan road. The village stands at an elevation of about 1,100 metres above sea level, and its people speak Kurmanji Kurdish. It sits in a lush valley full of beautiful orchards, and the valley continues on to rocky cliffs. A swift, year-round river also runs through the village and eventually joins the Atrak River. According to the 2006 census (1385 in the Solar Hijri calendar), Narges Lu Olya had a population of 237 people in 65 households.

The main attraction of Narges Lu Olya is the "Takeh" petroglyph site, located at the highest point of the eastern cliffs overlooking the valley. After crossing the bridge over the Narges Lu River and walking about 550 metres along the heights above the valley, you reach a rock known as Takeh. In a bowl-shaped hollow in its face is a collection of ancient paintings. About twenty red images, drawn with ochre, were once found on the upper surface of the rock, and some of them have faded or disappeared over time. These paintings, which are dated to the third millennium BCE, depict male ibexes and trees. About fifteen standing ibexes with long horns are the main subject of the rock art, and six trees can also be made out among the figures. In the cliffs opposite Takeh and around it there are also many small caves, which are described as human dwellings from the cave-dwelling period. The site is held in special respect by the villagers, and the threads and pieces of cloth tied to the tree next to the rock, along with votive flatbreads, reflect local beliefs associated with the place. Besides these remains, the natural setting of the valley, the lush orchards, the cliffs and the permanent flow of the river are other tourist attractions of Narges Lu Olya.

The village can be reached via the paved Bojnord–Gorgan road, and it lies about 3 km south of this road. Narges Lu Olya is about 35 km west of Bojnord and 6 km south of Badranlu. With its lush valley, orchards and year-round river, spring is a good time to visit the village and enjoy its nature. While visiting the area, avoid leaving litter, damaging the vegetation or polluting the river, and when visiting the Takeh petroglyphs, do not touch or damage the historic carvings or the rock.