Shanx Monastery

Part of the ORXON VALLEY CULTURAL LANDSCAPE WORLD HERITAGE SITE, Shanx Monastery is situated in O'vo'rxangai aimag, Xarxorin sum, along the western bank of the Xarz River.

When the settlement of Nomyn Ix Xu'ree moved from the Orxon Valley to the Xentii mountains in 1654, O'ndo'r Gegeen ZANABAZAR left the main part of Nomyn Ix Xu'ree, some original historical documents and other significant items in the hands of his younger brother Bilbidorzh. Thus the remaining western side of Nomyn Ix Xu'ree came to be known as "Baruun Xu'ree", or the "West Settlement". The temple of Shadublin was built in 1774, the ceremonial temple of Darzhaalin in 1781, the Zhud dacan temple in 1808, the Mamba dacan temple in 1833, and the Tsanid dacan temple in 1825. The astrology temple was constructed in 1860, and the Duinxor and Evden dacan temples were constructed in 1885 and 1886 respectively. Great significance was attached to this monastery, firstly as it was attached to Niislel Xu'ree, the nomadic settlement which served as the capital of Mongolia, and secondly because it was established by the highly-esteemed Buddhist leader O'ndo'r Gegeen ZANABAZAR. Until 1937 Baruun Xu'ree was also the site of ceremonies held to worship of the state standard (tug) of CHINGIS XAAN [1]. The renovation of the temple began in 1990, allowing for the revival of religious ceremonies.

Notes

[1] Б. Даажав, Хуучны барилга судлалын эскпедицийн тайлан, бичмэл, МУИС, 1967 [B. Daazhav, Report of an Expedition to Study Ancient Architecture, manuscript, National University of Mongolia, 1967]. It is stated in the SECRET HISTORY OF THE MONGOLS that "A meeting was held at the source of the Onon river, where the nine-staffed white standard [yeso'n xo'lt Cagaan tug] was established and Chingis's title of 'Xaan' was given there" (§ 202). The nine-staffed standard has been reconstructed and is now kept in the state palace in Ulaanbaatar.

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