Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Mongolia

Amarbayasgalant Monastery, Mongolia 

Amarbayasgalant Monastery, whose name means ”monastery of the quiet felicity”, is located near the Selenge River, at the foot of Mount Burenkhan. It’s one of the three largest monasteries of Mongolia.

The Manchu emperor __Enkh Amgalan Khan built the monastery in the 18th century, in memory of the first Bogd Gegeen, Zanabazar, in order to keep and preserve his mortal remains. The construction began in 1727 and completed in 1737. 1200 langs of silver coming from the state coffers were used to build this sumptuous monastery. The emperor personally wrote in four languages a message symbolizing his protection and his control. This was written on a sign suspended in the entrance of the main temple.

It’s one of the rare monasteries that have partly avoided the destruction of 1937 by the Soviets. The buildings of the main part were spared and the thangkas, the statues and the manuscripts were looted. All the lamas in charge of the place were executed and the monastery has been neglected for 50 years.

Epic Mongolia Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound