Up Mongolia 2012 - Gandan Monastery, Ulaanbaatar Prev Next Slideshow

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Stupas, Gandan Monastery, Ulaanbaatar

One of the most important attractions of Ulaanbaatar is the Gandantegchinlen Khiid Monastery. It was founded in the year 1835 by the 5th Jebsundamba and developed as the principal centre of Buddhist learning in Mongolia.

In the 1930s, the Communist government of Mongolia ordered the destruction of around 700 Buddhist monasteries, however, the Gandan Monastery was spared.

When the Communist government lost power in the 1990s, Gandan Monastery was thrown open for public worship. Today, the monastery houses around 150 monks, and has a 26 meter high 20 ton gilded statue of Migjid Janraisig (Avalokitesvara) decorated with jewels as its prime highlight.

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