Mountain lakes worth visiting. Lake Tobavarchili in Georgia.

The slopes of the Egrisi and Odisha ranges are covered with Colchian broadleaved and coniferous forests. The Mestia Range, which is 62 km long and 35 km wide, covers the municipalities of Mestia, Tsalenjikha, Chkorotsku, Martvili, Lentekhi and Tsageri. The highest point - peak Lakumurashdudi (3 255 m). In its southern strip are several karst massifs: Tsulishi, Kvira, Migaria, Ashi.

There are several lakes on the Egrisi Ridge. Tobavarchili - "silver lake" is the common name of these transparent mountain lakes. There are 6 lakes with this name in the alpine zone. In particular, near the mountains Tsashikibuli, Chitagwala, Lakumurashdudi, and Dira. All of these lakes are of glacial origin. Most probably, tectonic processes played an important role in their origin. The depth of the lakes testifies to it.

The real phenomenon is the mirror reflection of the lakes, which is created due to the crystal clear water. Probably because of the unusual reflection in the old days, the local population considered these lakes holy. Among them, the lake Didi Tobavarchili (in Mingrelian - the silver lake) is of particular beauty, space and location between the rocky mountains. The surface of the lake is 0.21 sq km. The greatest depth is 35 meters. The water in the lake is fresh. The Magana River, 34 km long, flows out of the lake.

There is a legend connected with the lake, according to which the bottom of the lake was covered with silver. The silver was guarded by witches and sorcerers. It was not only forbidden to drink water from the lake, but it was even forbidden to touch it. One day a shepherd threw a stone into the lake. A terrible storm broke out, which took the herdsman and his flock to the water and drowned them. The legend, according to which it was forbidden to touch the water of the lake, has a historical basis. As is known, in the period of paganism ancient Colchis built worship houses in the rugged mountainous places where they worshipped their idols.

It is likely that the small cave, erected near the lake on the massive rocks of Mount Tzashiqibuli, was once a religious room. At present the cave serves as a shelter for tourists.