Ivolginsky Datsan, Buryat Republic, Russia
Ivolginsky datsan is a monastery complex consisting of seven temples, a Buddhist University, priests’ houses, a museum of Buddhist art and a hotel. The whole complex occupies the area of three hectares (7.5 ac). There is the residence of the head of Russian Buddhists – Pandito Khambo Lama, and his house is also included into the complex.
Ivolginsky datsan is sited at the foot of the hills surrounding Lake Baikal. The roofs of the temples and the colourful stupas look astoundingly beautiful amidst the wilderness. In winter time the monastery is even more spectacular – coloured temples nestled in the snow against capped mountains. While staying in Russia in 1982 Dalai Lama noticed that Ivolginsky datsan is one of the greatest places of interest he had seen in the USSR. The datsan is protected by the government as a monument of religious architecture.
Epic Russia Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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