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At their meeting in 1580 the Dalai Lama instructed Avtai Khan to built a monastery in Mongolia. Construction on what became known as Erdene Zuu began in 1585-86 on the site of the old Mongol capital of Kharkhorum. |
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The small Khukh Temple was the first to be built at Erdene Zuu. |
The Three Zuu Temples, built between 1586 and 1674. The middle Zuu Temple was reportedly built on the site of, and perhaps from the ruins of, the Takhai Balgas Temple dating from the days of the old Mongol capital of Kharkhorum. The temples supposedly are modeled on temples which Altan Khan had built earlier in his city of Khokh Khot (now Hohhot in Inner Mongolia). |
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The tomb of Avtai Khan, in front of the Three Zuu Temples. It was damaged in 1937 by the communists and it is not certain if Avtai's remains are still present. The tomb itself has been recently restored. |
The tomb of Gombodorj, Avtai's grandson and the father of Zanabazar. Heavily damaged in 1937, it has recently been restored. |
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Another view of Gombodorj's tomb |
The tomb Zanabazar's mother, Khandjav, "the most perfect princess" of the Oirats. It located outside the monastery's walls, not far from the northeast corner. |
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The Three Zuu Temples in the background. Erdene Zuu is today one of Mongolia's leading tourist attractions. |
