Erdene Zuu Monastery

Erdene Zuu ( means Hundred Treasures ) Monastery located in Khara Khorum , which is the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia. It was built at the initiative of the most influential Khalkha lord Abtai Khan, in 1586 on the spot where was Kharkhorin, the famous capital of the Mongolian Empire of the 13th century . The territory of the monastery occupies an area of 400 m2 and is surrounded by a tone wall with 108 stupas. These stupas were erected either in honor of a prominent historical event, or as the grave of a state or religious figure. Almost ten thousand lamas lived within the fortress, which contained more than 60 chapels of various sizes . The architectural style of the temples combines the style of ancient Mongolian, Tibetan and Chinese architecture. Erdene Zuu monastery was severally damaged at the end of the XVII century and the beginning of the XVIII centuries at the time of the struggle of the Mongolians against the Manchu invaders. Since the 1990's the monastery has been returned to much of its former majesty, and is once again in use. About 100 temples and 300 gers were established within the monastery walls . The temple of Gol Zuu is dedicated to Buddha as a child. The temple Huh Sum has the tiny animals at the edges of the roof, like a horse, a lion, an eagle ,a fish... The temple of Baruun Zuu at the left side and the temple of Zuun Zuu at the right side. Both temples have nearly the same size and form, but there are differences in decorations.