Amanor and Vanatur

Amanor and Vanatur were gods who earned the love and recognition of all Armenian people. Amanor, which means “New Year” in Old Armenian, was the god who personified the new year and was considered the “bringer of new fruits.” His festival and worship took place during the days of the Armenian New Year, Navasard, which in the old Armenian calendar coincided with late July and early August, the months when new fruits and crops ripened. Navasard festivities were celebrated with great splendor and joy, especially in Bagavan, located in the plains of the Bagrevand region, one of the old spiritual centers of Armenia, which means “city of gods” or “divine town.” It was in this town that the place of worship for the new year gods—Amanor and the hospitable Vanatur—was located. If Amanor symbolized the new year and the new fruits it brought, then Vanatur, which literally means “giver of shelter” or “hospitable,” symbolized the reality of hosting, accommodating, and providing shelter to the thousands of guests and pilgrims who visited Bagavan during Navasard and other days. The last Armenian king, Tigran, built a sanctuary in Bagavan over the grave of his brother, the high priest Mazhan, so that all travelers could enjoy the meat and drinks of the animals sacrificed there, and at the same time spend the night and be hosted at the same place.