MANZUSHIR MONASTERY RUINS
HOW TO GET: jeep: 60 kms and one and half hour driving
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Manzushir monastery was housed by 400 monks and religious ceremony held by over than 1000 lamas. The monastery was renowned throughout Mongolia for its religious service and its celebrations of Tsam /religious dance/. In 1700-1800 the monastery consists of 14-17 halls, artificial lake in front of what was the main temple.
In 1937 communist purges all of the halls were destroyed down completely. Later in 1990, after the communism collapse, several years' restoration work has brought some of the buildings back to life. |
Rock carvings and paintings
Rocks engraved with Buddhist images are located in lovely hills near the temple ruins. One represents the Zonkhov /1357-1419/, founder of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism , and second shows the Bodisatha, considered the patron of the Manchu. A third rock is engraved with a design of an elephant, hare, monkey and bird, which known as the allegory of cooperation.
Local museum “Nature” and other sights
A small museum of flora and fauna was built in 1972 neighboring to the temple ruins. The museum exhibits the model of the original temple, as well as small skillfully done images from natural elements: wood, sand, feathers, stones and fur.Open air archaeological remains at the side include the large cauldron, 2 m wide and 1 m tall, with inscriptions in old Mongolian script. One of the incriptions dates to the cauldron to the summer of 1730. Another explains that it was used to boil water for tea. Also there is a large bell /1m height/ dates to reign of the Manchu emperor. There are tent design and Mongolian Ger museum, which is completely fitted with Mongolian national furniture.
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