Buddhist Temple
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Aryapala Temple and Terelj Meditation Caves
Perched dramatically on a steep granite cliff face in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Aryapala Initiation and Meditation Center (Aryabal Khiid) and its adjacent ancient meditation caves form a sacred mountain retreat. Built in the shape of an elephant's head with 108 steep concrete steps leading to the main shrine, the site overlooks granite rock formations, ancient shamanic cairns (ovoos), and hidden cliff caves where lamas meditated in solitary retreat for centuries. Visitors, hikers, and meditating pilgrims report hearing ghostly whispering, encountering mysterious protective energies inside the caves, and witnessing glowing orbs floating around the cliff path at twilight.