Mongolia

Mongolia (i/mɒŋˈɡoʊliə/; Mongolian: Монгол улс (help·info), literally means Mongol country/nation) is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and the People's Republic of China to the south, east as well as west. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest city, is home to about 45% of the population.

The area of what is now Mongolia has been ruled by various nomadic empires, including the Xiongnu, the Xianbei, the Rouran, the Gökturks and others although the Mongol Empire was founded by Genghis Khan in 1206. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Mongolia came under the influence of Tibetan Buddhism. At the end of the 17th century, most of Mongolia had been incorporated into the area ruled by the Qing Dynasty. During the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, Mongolia declared independence, but had to struggle until 1921 to firmly establish de facto independence from the Republic of China, and until 1945 to gain international recognition. As a consequence, it came under strong Russian and Soviet influence; and in 1924, the Mongolian People's Republic was declared. After the breakdown of communist regimes in Eastern Europe in late 1989, Mongolia saw its own Democratic Revolution in early 1990, which led to a multi-party system, a new constitution in 1992, and transition to a market economy.

At 600,000 sq mi, Mongolia is the 19th largest and the most sparsely populated independent country in the world, with a population of around 6 million people with over half living in the capital city. Approximately 30% of the population are nomadic or semi-nomadic with the predominant religion being Tibetan Buddhism. About 20% of the population live on less than US$1.25 per day.

Also see: http://suchit.net/photo/mongolia_2009/index.htm

The Megjid Janraisag. The Megjid Janraisag statue of Buddha was built to commemorate the independence from Manchu proclaimed in 1911. Unfortunately, the magnificent Megjid Janraisig was destroyed in the late 1930’s, dissembled and transported to the Russia for manufacturing cartridges during the WWII. Historians still could find some parts of this relict art in museums in Russia. After the fall of the communist regime in Mongolia the people started a campaign for rebuilding of the Megjid Janraisag. Completely by people’s donations the statue was rebuilt and become once again the main praying point representing Mongolia’s sovereignty. Mongolia, despite experiencing religious oppression during the communist era, remains a primarily Buddhist nation.
Megjid Janraisag The Megjid Janraisag statue Buddha commemorate independence Manchu Russia communist regime rebuilding rebuilt UB ulaan baator ulan bator Mongolia Buddhist nation
Intricate work done on the wooden ceiling with Buddhist inscriptions. Gandan Monastery is one of the most significant ones in Mongolia. UB, Ulaan Baator, Mongolia.
ceiling work intricate wood work Gandan Monastery significant ub ulaan baator ulan bator mongolia
Inner prayer room. Gandan Monastery is one of the most significant ones in Mongolia. UB, Ulaan Baator, Mongolia.
Gandan Monastery significant ub ulaan baator ulan bator mongolia
Chanting, music and prayers. Gandan Monastery is one of the most significant ones in Mongolia. UB, Ulaan Baator, Mongolia.
Gandan Monastery significant ub ulaan baator ulan bator mongolia
Gandan Monastery is one of the most significant ones in Mongolia. UB, Ulaan Baator, Mongolia
Gandan Monastery significant ub ulaan baator ulan bator mongolia
Mongolian children at the monastary housing Megjid Janraisag, UB, Ulaan Baator, Mongolia
portrait mongolian children child girl mongol ub ulaan baator ulan bator mongolia
Mongolian couple walking to Zaisan Memorial which is located to the south side of Ulaanbaatar on Zaisan Hill, UB, Mongolia
mongolian couple couple traditional dress Zaisan Memorial Ulaanbaatar Zaisan Hill Memorial 50th anniversary mongolia Independence Soviet Mongolian soldiers WWII statue mosaic circular panel reinforced concrete theme granite eternal flame capital city ub
Ariel view of UB (Ulaan Baator), Mongolia from Zaisan Hill. Zaisan Hill Memorial was erected on the occasion of 50th anniversary of Mongolia Independence and honors the Soviet and Mongolian soldiers who died in WWII in the fight against Japan and Nazi Germany. The Memorial provides impressive view over the whole capital city.
ub ulaan baator ulan bator mongolia ariel view pano panoramic view ulaanbaator capital
Frozen Tuul River (nuur as its called in Mongolia).
Ice cold UB, Mongolia.
tuul river tuul nuur ice freeze frozen cold ub ulaan baator ulan bator mongolia
Zaisan Memorial. Located to the south side of Ulaanbaatar is Zaisan Hill Memorial which was erected on the occasion of 50th anniversary of Mongolia Independence and honors the Soviet and Mongolian soldiers who died in WWII in the fight against Japan and Nazi Germany. Next to the monumental statue of the soldier, a mosaic composition on a large circular panel in reinforced concrete illustrates the theme of friendship between Mongol and Soviet peoples. In the center of it a large granite bowl holds an eternal flame. The Memorial provides impressive view over the whole capital city.
Zaisan Memorial Ulaanbaatar Zaisan Hill Memorial 50th anniversary mongolia Independence Soviet Mongolian soldiers WWII statue mosaic circular panel reinforced concrete theme granite eternal flame capital city ub
Tank on display at Zaisan Memorial. Located to the south side of Ulaanbaatar is Zaisan Hill Memorial which was erected on the occasion of 50th anniversary of Mongolia Independence and honors the Soviet and Mongolian soldiers who died in WWII in the fight against Japan and Nazi Germany. Next to the monumental statue of the soldier, a mosaic composition on a large circular panel in reinforced concrete illustrates the theme of friendship between Mongol and Soviet peoples. In the center of it a large granite bowl holds an eternal flame. The Memorial provides impressive view over the whole capital city.
Zaisan Memorial Ulaanbaatar Zaisan Hill Memorial 50th anniversary mongolia Independence Soviet Mongolian soldiers WWII statue mosaic circular panel reinforced concrete theme granite eternal flame capital city ub
Statue of Damdin Sukhbaatar who defeated Ungern von Sternberg, Russia and the Chinese. Ulan Bator / Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Statue Damdin Sukhbaatar defeated Ungern von Sternberg Russia Chinese. Ulan Bator Ulaanbaatar Mongolia
Sukhbaatar Square is the heart of Ulaanbaatar where the Parliament, the Government House, Stock Exchange and many other important establishments are concentrated. The square is named after Sukhbaatar, the famous patriot, whose statue is the main attraction on this square.
Sukhbaatar Square heart Ulaanbaatar Parliament Government House independence Manchu Russia communist regime UB ulaan baator ulan bator Mongolia Buddhist nation
Natural History Museum building, UB (Ulaanbaator), Mongolia.

The Museum was founded in 1924 and exhibits Mongolia's history, culture, and economic development as well as highlights the natural wealth. Inside are two complete dinosaur skeletons (Tarbosaurus, 15m tall and 5 tonnes in weight) which were found in Gobi.
national history museum assembly building streets ub ulaan baator ulan bator mongolia
National song and dance assembly building UB (Ulaan Baator), Mongolia.
streets ub ulaan baator ulan bator mongolia music ulaanbaator song dance performance
Long and empty roads on the Mongolian highway. Back on the road. This time towards Erdene Zuu which is in Övörkhangai Province, in the town of Kharkhorin (near Karakorum).
road car Erdene Zuu Övörkhangai Province town Kharkhorin Karakorum desert mongolia
On the road towards Erdene Zuu which is in Övörkhangai Province, in the town of Kharkhorin (near Karakorum).
road car Erdene Zuu Övörkhangai Province town Kharkhorin Karakorum desert mongolia
Mandatory stops on the long roads. One must stop, take three rounds, offer some vodka, drink some and head on. As seen on the road towards Erdene Zuu which is in Övörkhangai Province, in the town of Kharkhorin (near Karakorum)
road car Erdene Zuu Övörkhangai Province town Kharkhorin Karakorum desert mongolia
As we near Erdene Zuu Monastary which is in Övörkhangai Province, in the town of Kharkhorin (near Karakorum), we first come to this stone structure which is on a hill outside the monastery. This stone phallus is said to retain the sexual impulses of the monks and ensure their good behavior. The story goes that monks who wanted to enter the monastary were supposed to mastrubate here and offer their last sexual energy to this stone organ. Others who were unable to get children would come here and pray and draw upon this energy.
penis fallic phallus symbol religious organ road car Erdene Zuu Övörkhangai Province town Kharkhorin Karakorum desert mongolia
Assorted items on sale near Erdene Zuu which is in Övörkhangai Province, in the town of Kharkhorin (near Karakorum).
buddhist dagger knife coins shells Erdene Zuu Övörkhangai Province town Kharkhorin Karakorum desert mongolia
Small temple at Erdene Zuu monastery and museum, Kharkhorin. Karakorum, Central Mongolia
temple buddhist religion Erdene Zuu Erdene Zuu monastery monastery museum Kharkhorin Karakorum Central Mongolia mongolia desert
Erdene Zuu monastery and museum, Kharkhorin. Karakorum, Central Mongolia
Erdene Zuu Erdene Zuu monastery monastery museum Kharkhorin Karakorum Central Mongolia mongolia desert
Prayer wheels at Erdene Zuu Monastary. This Monastary is located in Övörkhangai Province, in the town of Kharkhorin (near Karakorum). Mongolia.
buddhist prayer wheel rotated rotating Erdene Zuu monastary Övörkhangai Province town Kharkhorin Karakorum desert mongolia
Inside view of the Erdene Zuu monastery. This is also now a museum. Kharkhorin. Karakorum, Central Mongolia
Erdene Zuu Erdene Zuu monastery monastery museum Kharkhorin Karakorum Central Mongolia mongolia desert inside view things items carpet temple belongings religious buddhist
Lovely mongolian children at their home near Erdene Zuu Monastary in Övörkhangai Province, in the town of Kharkhorin (near Karakorum) Mongolia.
suchit nanda food dinner Erdene Zuu Kharkhorin Karakorum Central Mongolia stone desert central mongollia
Dinner with Dr. Amarsaikhan Dash, Batpurev at a home near Erdene Zuu Monastary in Övörkhangai Province, in the town of Kharkhorin (near Karakorum) Mongolia.
food dinner Erdene Zuu Kharkhorin Karakorum Central Mongolia stone desert central mongollia Batpurev Dr. Amarsaikhan Dash doctor amarsaikhan dash director
Small mongolian child with mother in Central Mongolia.
child small baby Kharkhorin Karakorum Central Mongolia stone desert central mongolia
Mongolian Ger (Yurt with portable felt dwelling) with clear blue skies above and a vast expanse of land in Gobi desert. One can drive long distances without coming across any people or mammals. Occasionally one comes across a ger and a few family members. Rural Central Mongolia.

Mongolian Ger (Yurt) in Gobi desert. Central Mongolia.

Traditional gers consist of a circular wooden frame carrying a felt cover. The felt is made from the wool of the flocks of sheep that accompany the pastoralists. The timber to make the external structure is not to be found on the treeless steppes, and must be traded.

The frame consists of one or more lattice wall-sections, a door-frame, roof poles and a crown. Some styles have one or more columns to support the crown. The (self-supporting) wood frame is covered with pieces of felt. Depending on availability, the felt is additionally covered with canvas and/or sun-covers. The frame is held together with one or more ropes or ribbons. The structure is kept under compression by the weight of the covers, sometimes supplemented by a heavy weight hung from the center of the roof. They vary regionally, with straight or bent roof-poles, different sizes, and relative weight.

It is designed to be dismantled and the parts carried on camels or yaks to be rebuilt on another site.
yurt rural countryside country side central mongolia central sand desert stone gravel blue sky blue skies gobi mongolia ger family mongolian blue sky red soil vegetation
Stone tablet & inscriptions in Mongolian at at Erdene Zuu Monastary. This Monastary is located in Övörkhangai Province, in the town of Kharkhorin (near Karakorum). Mongolia.
stone Erdene Zuu monastary Övörkhangai Province town Kharkhorin Karakorum desert mongolia head stone tablet inscriptions
Central Mongolia
Kharkhorin Karakorum Central Mongolia stone desert central mongolia
Cattle grazing in the distance. Vast expanse of land with freezing temperatures and frozen pond/puddles. Gobi desert. Rural Central Mongolia.
rural countryside country side central mongolia central sand desert stone gravel blue sky blue skies gobi mongolia water frozen freeze cold
Added to the freezing temperatures, we had a dust storm in Övörkhangai Province, in the town of Kharkhorin (near Karakorum) Mongolia.
dust storm storm freezing Erdene Zuu Kharkhorin Karakorum Central Mongolia stone desert central mongolia Batpurev Dr. Amarsaikhan Dash doctor amarsaikhan dash director
Mongolian rider with his horse. Also seen is a cluster of gers in the back. Living at great distances, its good to see an occasional human in the vast expanse of land while we were drive across long distances. Gobi desert. Rural Central Mongolia.
horse rider mongolian rural countryside country side central mongolia central sand desert stone gravel blue sky blue skies gobi mongolia ger yurt
Young Mongolian horse rider in Gobi Desert. Central. Mongolia
young rider horse boy mongoians mongolian mongol rural countryside country side central mongolia central sand desert stone gravel blue sky blue skies gobi mongolia
In Mongolia it is believed that if you are spiritual, then only you get to see a wolf in the wild. But if you kill a wolf, you are higher than it.

While driving across Gobi desert, hawk eyed Dr. Amarsaikhan Dash spotted a wolf and the chase began. While I didn't understand it quite well at that time, he drove off the normal track and wanted to run over the wolf. But the wolf was smart and kept dogging and turning - faster than the car could. He was also fast and barely outran our car but it was its skill at the end so thank God the wolf made it to safety. I was shooting wild and had no idea what I got till we got back and reviewed the pictures. Dr. Amarsaikhan kept remembering for the next 1 hour his earlier chases and how he wished he had his gun with him. I was praying otherwise.
Dr. Amarsaikhan Dash wolf chase rural countryside country side central mongolia central sand desert stone gravel blue sky blue skies gobi mongolia ger yurt
Birds on the lake. Central Monglia.
birds lake rural countryside country side central mongolia central sand desert stone gravel blue sky blue skies gobi mongolia
Our car in which we did the full trip in front of the "Lone tree" which looked a bit lonely. It was standing erect with no friends or family. Stopped to get a picture. Central Mongolia.
rural countryside country side central mongolia central sand desert stone gravel blue sky blue skies gobi mongolia medical tree lonely
Streams of melted ice flow through the forest. Central Mongolia
rural countryside country side central mongolia central sand desert stone gravel blue sky blue skies gobi mongolia medical
Portraits of family members outside a rural hospital in Central Mongolia.
rural hospital countryside country side central mongolia central sand desert stone gravel blue sky blue skies gobi mongolia medical portraits
A few country Mongolians who we didn't know but they invited us over to their home (Ger). Dornogobi aimag, Urgun soum.
portraits mongoians mongolian mongol rural countryside country side central mongolia central sand desert stone gravel blue sky blue skies gobi mongolia ger yurt
A skinned wolf head put at the front porch of the horse to ward off evil. In Mongolia it is believed that if you are spiritual, then only you get to see a wolf in the wild. But if you kill a wolf, you are higher than it.

Dr. Amarsaikhan seen at the back. Gobi desert. Mongolia.
skinned head animal kill spirit spiritual Dr. Amarsaikhan Dash wolf chase rural countryside country side central mongolia central sand desert stone gravel blue sky blue skies gobi mongolia ger yurt
Mongolian lady staff hostess at the lunch place at Erdenet. Central Mongolia.
countryside country side central mongolia central gobi mongolia medical Èrdènèt erdenet lunch
Street scene at Erdenet. Central Mongolia.
street countryside country side central mongolia central gobi mongolia medical Èrdènèt erdenet
On the way into UB, Mongolia we could see a number of cattle lazily graze in the fields.
countryside country side central mongolia central gobi mongolia medical cattle cow
I was told that people didn't have local heaters even in this cold. Hot water pipes circulated hot water through a public-system to keep the housing and office buildings warm. Seen is the protective clad pipes in UB (Ulaanbaator) Mongolia.
countryside country side central mongolia central gobi mongolia Èrdènèt erdenet ub ulaanbaator pipe hot water water heating system
Visited the Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Centre for Excellence in Information and Communication Technology (ABVCEICT) in Ulaanbaatar. ABVCEICT which was setup in UB and proposed community centres in five provinces (which were to be connected by video conference) is doing well. Ulaanbaator (UB), Mongolia.
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Centre for Excellence in Information a ABVCEICT Ulaanbaatar community centres provinces video conference Ulaanbaator UB Mongolia ict Atal Bihari Vajpayee communication technology school education snow
Satellite antenna covered by snow and ice. Ulaanbaator, Mongolia.
snow ice white satellite antenna ub ulaan baator ulan bator mongolia
Seen here is their computer lab with students working on PCs. Visited a school in UB, Mongolia to see their facilities.
school computer lab students pc pcs ub ulaan bator ulaanbaatar mongolia