Ayaz Ata

Ayaz Ata is a winter god who brings snow and cold weather. He is also known as Frost Father or Grandfather Frost. In some Turkic cultures, he plays a role similar to that of Santa Claus or Ded Moroz. Ayaz Ata is said to be created of moonlight and he lives in the mountains. He has a long white beard and a long white robe. He rides a horse or a sleigh and he carries a sack full of presents for the children. On New Year's Eve, Ayaz Ata visits the homes of children and leaves presents for them if they have been good. If they have been bad, he leaves them coal.