Manzushir Monastery

History

The monk Luvsanjambaldanzan founded the monastery in 1733, dedicated to Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom. In 1750 it was placed under the personal administration of the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, the head of Mongolian Buddhism. In 1919–1920 its Shar Khüree housed the seat of the eighth Jebtsundamba, the Bogd Khan.

At its height it had some 20 temples and more than 300 monks, and its ceremonies often drew over 1,000 monks. It kept valuable scriptures, including golden script on silver leaf.

In February 1937 the last 53 lamas were arrested and many were later shot, and all the temples were destroyed; the scriptures went to the national library. Restoration began in 1990, the executed monks were rehabilitated in 1992, and the ruins came under state protection in 1998. Only the main building has been rebuilt, and it is now a museum.

What to See

• The museum in the rebuilt main temple
• The ruins of 17 buildings spread up the hillside
• 18th-century Buddhist paintings, reliefs and Tibetan inscriptions on the cliffs above
• A two-tonne bronze cauldron made in 1726, said to boil ten sheep and two cattle at once

Visiting

• About 5 km northeast of Zuunmod, the centre of Töv aimag, and about an hour by road from Ulaanbaatar.
• Most of the surrounding area is part of the Bogd Khan Uul Strictly Protected Area, good country for walks in the forest.
• The site has returned to Buddhist use; behave as at any sacred place.

Distances and travel times are approximate. Check local conditions, opening hours and permits before you travel.