Suprotivny Spring — a spring in the sacred Mari (nnov.ec) Tsepel grove near the settlement of Vasilsursk in Vorotynsky District, Nizhny Novgorod Region. The approach to the spring has been landscaped, with steps built. The spring's yield is 10 liters per minute.
Background
In the very heart of the sacred Mari grove, where the branches of century-old oaks, lindens and birches spread near the ancient capital of the mountain Mari, Tsepel, the Suprotivny Spring gushes from the ground. The spring got its name because its water flows "against the sun" — that is, it emerges from the hill in a southerly rather than a northerly direction, toward the Volga, which is the direction the hill's main slope faces.
The spring is a place of worship for the mountain Mari.
The well-known local historian and ethnographer of the early 20th century, N.N. Ogloblin, states in his works that the Tsepel grove was considered the residence of the supreme god of the mountain Mari, Kugu Yumo, and was the main sanctuary of Tsepel, which was destroyed by Russian troops in 1523.
Veneration of the spring
The Mari still come to the Suprotivny Spring on the night of September 11. They leave gifts, tie ribbons to the branches, place coins at the roots and make requests if something is troubling them. Pilgrims arriving from the territory of Mari El then perform a pagan rite in the grove.
For almost five hundred years there has been no town of Tsepel — the chief shrine of the mountain Mari — yet people continue to come here. They simply do so without drawing outside attention.
In the grove near the stream grows a remarkable plant — the moonwort fern (Botrychium lunaria), listed in the Red Data Book of Russia.
The Suprotivny Spring is also venerated by Orthodox Christians as a holy spring.
Poems
The Suprotivny Spring
Pure and fresh, and holy for ages already.
It murmurs softly, making its way to the river.
But no other little stream is dearer
To a single person in these parts.
They named it "Suprotivny" — the contrary spring,
For all its life it rushes to meet the sun.
It is quiet and unassuming, and mighty.
People come to it to drink and to be healed.
It gives strength to the feeble,
It cleanses the soul's affliction.
Blessed and graced shall be he
Who manages to drink of that magical water.
Tatyana Nikiforova