Sights of Buryatia
Ivolginsky buddhistic
Ivolginsky buddhistic temple is the Centre of Spiritual
Board of Buddhists of Russia and his head – Bandido-hambo-lama. The prime
religious building, the main temple, was built and consecrated in 1972.
Religious ceremonies are carried out in the Tibetan language.
Before
entering the temple it is necessary to pass round the territory of the temple in
the direction of the sun, rotating hurde – prayerful drums. Every turn of the
drum is equal to repetition of the pray.
Inside the temple the central position is occupied by the most respected and
holy statue of Buddha in pose, calling the earth as a witness. At this moment,
preceding the achievement of nirvana, Buddha is applying to the goddess of the
Earth for paying her attention to his services and helping in the battle with
Mara (Satan). Around of the statue are pictured 16 naidans (ascetics). At
the foot of statue of Buddha there is the portrait and throne of Dalai Lama XIV,
on which nobody has the right to sit.
The holiday Maidari-hural (bodhisattva
Maitreya) gathers a large number of believers. The ceremony lasts several days
the culmination of which is passing round the temple with statue Maidari to the
strokes of drums, ringing of bronze bells – honho, and copper plates, sounds of
long trumpets – uher-bure. The procession is headed by symbolic chariot Maidari
and its statue, which is carried by one of lamas. Bodhisattva Maitreya
symbolizes love, compassion and hopes for the future. It is considered that
Maitreya as a successor, chosen by Buddha himself, is to come into the earth as
the God of the future.
Tamchinsky temple
Tamchinsky temple – is one of the oldest buddhistic temples
among other in Russia. Lay-men were served by 900 lamas, 500 of whom
constantly lived in the temple.
In 1741 it represented a large jurt. In
1750 was built the first wooden temple. By 1848 the complex numbered already 17
temples. In 1858-1870 was built the main three-stored temple. Annually was
arranged Tsam – the grandiose religious dramatized performance, which gathered
thousands believers.
Since 1809 to 1937 Tamchinsky Buddhistic temple had
remained the main temple of Buryatia and Mongolia (the republic had this name
till 1958). After the close of the Buddhistic temple at the end of 20s – the
beginning of 30s temple buildings methodically had been destroyed. From the
middle of the 30s in the buildings of former temples was situated a prison for
political convicts.
In 1957 Tamchinsky Buddhistic temple was proclaimed by government regulation
of Buryatia historical and architectural monument, and on its territory began
restoration works. In October of 1990 two restored temples again were opened for
believers. In December of 1990 the temple was consecrated. The temple, in which
religious services are arranged, is called Choira. The second temple is the
former main temple Tsogchin. On the territory of the temple, before the entry
into Tsogchin, there is a legendary archeological monument – the reindeer stone
(“Altan-serge” – golden tether), which, by designation of archeologists is 3.5
thousand years. The reindeer stone received this name because of images of deer,
carved on it.
Originally “Altan-Serge” was placed on the burial complex of the sanctuary,
and hundreds years later it was transferred by lamas and placed at the portal of
central Buddhistic temple Tsogchin. By legend the stone stele at the entry of
the main building of the monastery, served a tether for sacred horses of
celectials, when they came for holiday Tsam-hural (the term of 1912). In 1931
“Altan-serge” disappeared from the territory of the complex and only in 1989 in
the foundation of one of destroyed constructions were founded, by chance,
fragments of the reindeer stone. Of six founded fragments was reconstructed the
original form of the monument. “Altan-serge” was prepared of an unbroken
2.6-meter fragment of tetrahedral form. On all four facets are placed
high-artistic multi-figured compositions. On the background of saturated
ornament were carved horses flying in tantivy.
The National park «Alhanai»
The National park «Alhanai» was created in 1998 year. This
park is placed on the south slope of town Tchita, on the territory of
Duldurginsky region of Aginsko – Buryatsky autonomous district, at a distance of
250 km on south – east direction from administrative centre – Tchita. Total area
of this national park is 138234 ha, guarded zone – 105355 ha. The national park
«Alhanai» was made as for keeping and using mountain – taiga landscapes of the
Baikal, as for keeping cult places for buryatia's people.
National park “Alhanai” is full of natural and spiritual treasures. “Alhanai”
is the only place in Russia, where is formed the harmonic system of cult
Buddhistic and natural monuments. It differs from other natural parks of our
country by the unique atmosphere.
On the territory of this national park
there are two monuments of nature – the top of mountain «Alhanai» and a part of
rock «Temple Gate». Many national relics and healthy springs are placed on the
territory of national park.
Over this territory were built tourist and
pilgrim roads.
The central part of this park consists of mountain range,
covered mixed and coniferous forests. The territory of south part, which was
placed on the low tops above sea , is covered by steeps.
There are more than 340 species of plants. About 180 of them are used in
medicine. Nature created interesting species of different plants and ecological
groups (climatic zones), incompatible in usual conditions. A lot of wild animals
live there and feel themselves in care and safety. On this territory are
registered more than 120 species of land vertebrates and 165 species of insects,
two kinds of amphibian, four kinds of reptiles and 17 kids of fishes.
Tunkinsky National Park
This state national park was opened in 1991 year on the
territory of that region of the Republic Buryatia.
Keeping landscapes, the
unique nature complexes and the objects of plants and animals world,
reconstruction lost traditions, rituals, creating new conditions for operated
ecological tourism and rest in nature conditions, right nature using – such
tasks of the national park.
The territory of Tunkinsky national park includes
Okino – Sayanskaya and Hamar – Dabanskaya mountain zones of South – Siberian
region.
Rich and various are the animal world of the park. Here dwell animals
and birds like in other national parks. 48 species bird are included in the Red
Book of Buryatia and 9 species in Russia.
54 species are famous from mammals,
10 of them belonged to rare species, for instance snow leopard, is
included in the The Red Book of Russia.
On the territory of this national par
one can meet with rare and disappeared plants: peony and other native
plants.
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