Ongi Monastery. Dundgov aimag. Mongolia.
THE REGIONS OF MONGOLIA
GOVI-SUMBER AIMAG
ONGI MONASTERY (ONGII KHIID)
The ruins are located 20 kilometers from the Saikhan-Ovoo town in Dundgobi
province. Nestling on the south and north banks of the
Ongi River bend, Ongi was one of the important monasteries in the Gobi desert -
consisted of two separate monasteries connected by a bridge. On the southern
river bank was 320 years old Hutagt Monastery comprised of 9 main temples, plus
small temples and stupas. The Balim Monastery was built relatively late about
240 years ago on the northern bank of the river and consisted of 13 main temples
except for the other constructions, stupas, etc.
The monastery had 4 religious institutions and housed by over 1000 monks at
its height. Unfortunately, no temple remained after the 1930s communist purge
except for a stupa.
In 1990, few monks returned the monastery and completed a small temple in
2004
The location of the monastery is spectacular among the Gobi desert mountains,
a halfway to break the trip for an overnight between the two major travel
destinations of the Gobi desert and Kharakhorin.
Travelers visit a small ger museum showcase some artifacts found at the site,
explore the ruins covering an expanse area, and climb one of the nearby hills to
see the impressive views of the ruins, the river, ger camps, and the surrounding
area.
The monastery was reopened in 1990 and the current Dalai Lama visited in 1992.
The small contingent of 20 monks visits three or four times a month.
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