Buddhist Monastery
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Gandantegchinlen Monastery
Gandantegchinlen Monastery ('Great Place of Complete Joy') in Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's most important active Buddhist center. Founded in 1838 by the 5th Jebtsundamba Khutughtu, it was the only monastery permitted to maintain limited ceremonial operations during the communist era under Soviet supervision. Home to the towering 26.5-meter gilded statue of Megjid-Janraisig (Avalokiteshvara), monks, night caretakers, and pilgrims report subtle spiritual encounters, phantom chanting in locked courtyard halls, and protective spirit guardians guarding ancient Buddhist relics.