Varcheh Village

Varcheh is a beautiful mountain village in Kamareh District of Khomein County, Markazi Province, located in Khorramdasht Rural District. It lies within a small plain and on the slopes of the surrounding heights. The village is bordered by Mount Shirkhani to the southwest and Mount Oghlan Pir to the northeast, and its mountainous setting offers varied views of peaks, plains, farmland and pastures. The village stands at an elevation of about 2,085 meters above sea level. Its climate is mild in spring and summer and cold and dry in winter. Varcheh is about 36 kilometers from Kamareh, the center of the rural district and the district, 22 kilometers from Khomein, the county seat, and 45 kilometers from Arak. Village life is largely tied to farming, animal husbandry, orchard growing and handicrafts, and the village produces wheat, barley, chickpeas, beans, onions, potatoes, apples, grapes and apricots.

Alongside its mountain scenery and surrounding orchards, Varcheh's main attraction is its historical remains and ancient petroglyphs. On the cliffs of the mountains and in the valleys around the village, petroglyphs have been found dating from the 6th millennium BCE to the Sassanid era, and handprints are among the most distinctive. About seven handprints have been reported beside a spring, and other carvings, such as ibex and animal hunting scenes, can be seen on the mountains running parallel to the old Varcheh–Arak road, where their number reaches about 7,000. Besides these historical sites, the orchards around the village, poplar trees, fertile fields, lush pastures and views of Mount Shirkhani are among Varcheh's natural highlights, especially the vegetation and wildflowers in spring and the snowy scenery in winter. Medicinal plants such as flixweed (khakshir), borage, chicory, marshmallow and tragacanth, as well as the area's wildlife, including jackals, wolves, foxes, hares, rams, ewes and partridges, add to the natural diversity of the area. Local ceremonies and games are another part of the village's cultural appeal. The rain-seeking ritual known as Koseh-Galin, Chaharshanbe Suri, Yalda Night, Sizdah Bedar, the Nowruz new year ceremony and the Arafah (or Alafeh) Day ritual are local traditions, along with games such as Doz-bazi, Dastmal-bazi, Alak-bazi and Khat-bazi, and performances of Siyah-bazi. Local foods such as fatir bread, komaj bread, arti bread, various types of ash (thick soup), stews, eshkeneh and abgoosht, along with the handicrafts of village women, including handwoven carpets in Arak designs and woolen socks, are also part of its cultural and tourism appeal.

To travel to Varcheh, you can take the routes leading to Khomein County and Khorramdasht Rural District. Because the village is in a mountainous environment, the surrounding nature looks different in each season. Spring is one of the best times for nature tourism in Varcheh, as the slopes and plains around the village take on a refreshing look with new buds, greenery and wildflowers. Summer, with its mild climate, is also suitable for walks in nature, and in winter the snow-covered mountain slopes create a different landscape. When visiting the petroglyphs and the village's natural surroundings, avoid touching, damaging or harming the historical works, as well as the vegetation and natural environment, so that this valuable heritage is preserved for visitors and future generations.