Initially in a year 842 an atheist, named Landram, became the khan of Tibet and started to destroy monasteries and massively murdered monks througout the region. At the time, a monk called ‘Lhalambaldorj’, who was worshipping in mountainous managed to escape from the massacre using his own wisdom and special ways and then he came to and settled in a meditating monastery located in Khugnu-Khan mountain, which proves that this monastery is well known among the Monks at that time.
In 1612, a Mongolian monk, ‘Erdenetsorj’, had built an additional main temple which was high and resembling the structure of the 64 room ‘Yamanda’ monastery, which resulted the creation of meditation monastery with 13 temples, deifying the red deity known as Jamsran Buddha in current Uvgun monastery. But in 1688, during the Khalka and Oirat war, the monastery was completely destroyed and all the monks were killed. In the 1700s, the monastery was relocated in a different place with 4 sanctuaries and 3 temples with 200 monks. In 1937, during the communist regime, the monastery was destroyed again and about 20 high ranking monks were executed. Fortunately, there are 2 small temples and the “Five Khan'' monastery wall on the mountain remains undestroyed. These two temples are registered as one of the Mongolian national cultural heritages, inherited from the 17th century, representing the architectural uniqueness and the building techniques of the temples and monastery by Mongolians. These two temples have eight-sided, round shaped, brick and clay walls and the roof is made of wood only using a coupling method, representing Mongolian traditional blacksmith skill and unique characteristics. The 17th century represents the historical period of the origination of building style of Mongol temples and monasteries depicting nomadic style of life. It is noteworthy that these temples were built taking an example of a Mongol ‘ger’ (yurt) during this period and because temples with this kind of design are currently extremely rare.
Our objective is to restore and preserve the original structure and the design of three temples by doing necessary repairs based on the results of a professional research team. By restoring the old, original structure and style based on thorough research results, we would be able to preserve this historically significant, one of rarest and invaluable inheritance of the Mongolian architecture and customs of religious practices. With The restoration of these temples, we will be able to extend monastery activities, which have a long and valuable historical path.
One of the important parts of our objective is by interviewing related people and thoroughly conducting research, to define the original color, genre of craftsmanship, paint composure, ornament and decorating etiquette, and style, thus to rebuild and restore the original form of the temples.
There was no Government effort for the reconstruction of the temples. In 1998, the people from the temple such as monks and our family with the help from local people did the necessary repairs. Since then, additional repair is required due to the natural decaying process.
Our temple is located near the main tourist route and welcomes thousands of domestic and foreign tourists every year.
Beside the temple, we also have our very own camp for foreign and domestic tourists. The name is ‘Erdene-uvgun’, named after the monk who built the temples. We host not only tourists but also monks from various branches, as well as pilgrimmers and prayers. Our camp has a capacity of 35 people in one shift, with 14 available ‘ger’ (yurts). All ‘gers’ are authentic nomadic made, equipped with traditional ornaments and have 2-4 beds. From here, you can visit a local family, go horse or camel riding, trekking in the mountains, or do meditation in nature, where nobody will disrupt you.
The camp also acts as an aid to the temple both financially and physically/practically(?).
