Gandan is a Tibetan Style Buddhist Monastery
Nowadays, over 150 monks live in the Gandantegchilen Monastery. It houses about 25 meters tall statue of Megjid-Janraiseg – a sage who leads the men on the way to Truth. He represents compassion. Covered by a huge number of precious stones, this statue weighs more than 20 tons and is made of copper coming from the mines of Erdenet.
The Gandan monastery complex consists of Zanabazar Buddhist University, three temples for Buddhist service and veneration of Avalokiteshvara, three Buddhist Colleges of Buddhist Philosophy, a College of Medicine and Astrology, and two Tantric College. Many local Mongolian people from the countryside in their traditional costumes come to donate and pray. Especially, if you arrive in the morning and catch a service, it is fascinating, with drumming, chanting, and cymbals. The giant Buddha inside the Gandan Monastery is also very atmospheric, with lots of candles and gold plates. It’s only about a twenty-minute walk from the square.
The Gandantegchinlen Monastery is worth visiting no matter what the season despite it not being heated. This is a great spot to escape the hectic life of the city and it’s indeed an island of tranquility.
Gandantegchinlen Monastery In Historical Perspective
This Tibetan-style Buddhist Gandan Monastery, also known as Gandantegchinlen Monastery, means Great Place of Complete Joy. The Gandan temple is thought to have been constructed by either the fourth or fifth Jebtsundamba Khutuktu (spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia) in 1809. It is situated in the heart of Ulan Bator. The temple once housed a number of monks who learned and practiced Buddhism. The temple for preserving the remains of the eighth Jebtsundamba Khutuktu was constructed in 1925. This monastery today serves as the monastery library. In the following year, further temples were also constructed and added to the monastery including Vajradhara Temple in 1840 and Zuu Temple in 1869.
It was relocated to Dalkha Hill in 1838, where it now stands, and acquired its present name. After that, it developed into Mongolia’s primary center for Tantric Buddhism, and numerous schools of Buddhism, astrology, and traditional medicine were founded over time.
The Statue of Migjid Janraisig Sum
The Gandantegchinlen Monastery’s centerpiece, a spectacular white Migjid Janraisig Süm, is visible as you approach the end of the monastery. Numerous statues of Ayush, the Buddha of Longevity, adorn the walls of the temple, and stare through the shadows at the beautiful Migjid Janraisig figure. The statue is located in Mongolia’s capital city Ulan Bator, Mongolia’s Gandantegchinlen Monastery.
The eighth Bogd Khan gave his approval to the original statue in the hope that it might restore his vision, but the Russians are said to have melted it down to produce bullets. Nepal and Japan also contributed to the construction of the new sculpture. It is 26 meters in height, built of copper, and has glittering gold plating. It is considered a symbol of Mongolian Independence.
Tons of medicinal plants, a few Sutras, 2 million stacks of mantras, and a whole ger with furnishings can all be found inside the hollow sculpture. To the east of the temple are four Buddhist philosophy institutions, while to the west is Ondor Gegeen Zanabazar Buddhist University. Foreign visitors are not allowed to visit the university.
Ochidara and Didan-Lavran Temples
Ochidara Temple (Gandan Süm) and Didan-Lavran Temple are two of Gandan Khiid’s top attractions. The Gandan Khiid, which looks out over the kora or pilgrimage path, is the first thing visitors to the temple who enter through the south gate notice. The majority of followers rub their palms over the prayer wheels in the courtyard for luck after finishing a round of Kora.
The 13th Dalai Lama’s official residence throughout his stay in Ulaanbaatar after fleeing Tibet was the Didan-Lavran shrine. Devotees are frequently seen participating in the rites or meditating. The entire procedure can impart a calm and peaceful feeling into the air.
