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Tuvkhun monastery. Uvurkhangai and Arkhangai province.
THE REGIONS OF MONGOLIA
UVURKHANGAI AIMAG
TUVKHUN MONASTERY
Tovkhon monastery is located on the border of the Uvurkhangai and Arkhangai province. It is situated on a flat rocky area on the top part of the
Shiveet-Ulaan Mountain and is surrounded by wild forest and rock cliffs. Visitors hike 5 km up to the monastery from the skirt of the mountain. The
Tuvkhun monastery was first established in 1648 by the 14-year-old Zanabazar first Jebtsundamba khutuktu Bogd. He first noticed this beautiful place in 1651
and then he built a small wooden cabin for meditation. That was the beginning of the Tuvkhun monastery. The monastery was built by Mongolian carpenters and all
the buildings have perfect mortises.
In 1992, the Tuvkhun monastery was determined to be under state protection and now it is a significant historical place in Mongolia. In the monastery,
First Bogd Zanabazar created his great works of art including Soyombo script along with many images of deities. Bogd Zanabazar used to get water from two
wells near by the monastery. His Mongolian boot sole was 38 cm and hand prints were found in the side of a northwestern rock.
Tuvkhun monastery used to have 14 small temples. The monastery exists near a unique geological formation called the ‘Womb Cave’. The Womb Cave is on the top
of high and stiff rock that is located behind the monastery. The tradition of the womb cave dictates the method in which individuals traverse 3 chambers.
Women who enter the first chamber must turn left when they reach the intersection of the 2nd and 3rd chambers, men must turn right. The locals
believe if person get through their prospective chambers, men and women area reborn. The right chamber called “Ulgii” is tall enough for a standing person,
the left chamber “Senjit” is believed to cure those who cannot walk. A cairn on top of these rocks is only men pilgrimage site and the other cairn that is down
on the left is only women pilgrimage site.
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