Ashaghi Gozaldere is a village in the Novo-Bayazid uezd of the former Iravan governorate, in the former Ashaghi Garanliq (Martuni) district, and currently in the Gegharkunik province. The provincial centre lies 46 km to the southeast of the town of Kavar (Yeni Bayazid, Kamo), on the bank of the Gozaldere River, and at a height of 1,980 m above sea level. It was marked on the five-verst map of the Caucasus.

The place had been solely inhabited by Azerbaijanis until 1828. The Armenians were removed from the villages of the Turkish provinces of Alashkirt and Mush and settled there in 1828–1829 following the Treaty of Turkmenchay. In 1897 there lived 108 Azerbaijanis in the village, along with the Armenians. The Azerbaijanis, who had been exposed to Armenian aggression in the early 20th century, i.e. in 1905–1906, were deported. At present, Armenians live there. The toponym was coined by combining the word “ashaghi” denoting a distinguishing feature and the words “gozal” and “dere”.

By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR dated 7 December 1945, the village was renamed “Vardenik”. According to the law “On the administrative-territorial division of the Republic of Armenia” dated 7 November 1995, it was integrated into the administrative area of the Gegharkunik province.

Geographic coordinates: latitude: 40°07’ N., longitude: 45°26’ E.