Amarbayasgalant Monastery

Located at the foot of Bürenxan mountain in Selenge aimag close to the city of Erdenet, Amarbayasgalant is one of the largest and most important monasteries in Mongolia.

According to the inscription on the stele located near the monastery's entrance, Amarbayasgalant was constructed in honour of Öndör Gegeen Zanabazar in accordance with a royal decree issued by the Manchu Emperor Kansu in 1727.[1] One hundred thousand taels (equivalent to nearly four thousand kilograms of silver) were collected in taxation to fund the monastery's construction. Amarbayasgalant was completed in 1736 with more than 40 temples, 28 of which are still in existence today.

General view of Amarbayasgalant Monastery in Selenge aimag.
General view of Amarbayasgalant Monastery in Selenge aimag.
At the south end of the monastery is a Yampai, or symbolic protective wall. North of this are a gate through the main wall of the monastery compound; a Maxaranz Temple, containing the figures of the four protective deities; a chiga, or high post to which zhancan religious banners are attached; a history temple, containing stone carvings interpreting the background to the construction of the monastery as well as various political events; large pots used for burning incense, between which people would pass for purification; and a main prayer temple. Directly to the north of the main temple, on the same axis, are situated the Zuu and Laviran temples.

One interesting aspect of the engineering of the monastery is its sophisticated water drainage system, which permitted rainwater to be evacuated from the roof of the Cogchin Dugan (main prayer temple) through its four main supporting posts and under the floor.

Notes

  1. ↑ Монгол нутаг дахь түүх, соёлын дурсгал [Historical and Cultural Monuments of Mongolia] Ulaanbaatar: 1998. See the full text of the stele at Amarbayasgalant Monastery.
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Fifth Wrathful Noble Xutagt of the Great Gobi (1803-1856)

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