Sacred Sites of Mongolia - an Overview

In Mongolia, many mountains, rivers, and other natural areas are revered as sacred. Each site is believed to be owned by a spirit. The form of spirit
masters varies according to the shape of the mountain. In Ulaanbaatar,
the spirit master of the mountain to the south, Bodh Khan, is the shape
of a garuda, a huge and powerful bird. The mountain to the west of
Ulaanbaatar has the form of a blue old man, while the protectors of the
mountains to the north and east of the city take on the form of respectively a pig
and a dog.

Sacred natural sites are treated with utmost respect. Within the vicinity of these sites, the cutting of trees, hunting of wild animals or digging of the land is prohibited. Dating back to pre-Buddhist animist beliefs, these taboos serve the double purpose of worship and protecting the surrounding environment. Later incorporated into Buddhism, people continue to practice these traditions nowadays. Visit the Alliance for Religions and Conservation and Buddhist Ecology websites for more information on Buddhism and the Environment in Mongolia.

There are over 600 natural sacred sites in
Mongolia. You can recongnise many sacred sites by the ovoos, a heap of
stones and other objects, which mark them. Here are some of the more
well-known sites:

National (by decree of the President)
1. Otgontenger Mountain (Zavkhan)
2. Bogd Khaan Mountain (Ulaanbaatar)
3. Burkhan Khaldun Mountain (Khentii)

Regional (several Aimags, or provinces, jointly worship)
1. Bereeven (13 Sansar mountain range's rare mountains for Choijoo Naidan ceremonies)
2. Ikh Burkhant (Dornod)
3. Altan Ovoo (Sukhbaatar)
4. Otsol Sansar (30kms from Choir)
5. Darkhan Khan (50kms from Sukhbaatar center)
6. Bat-Khan mountain (Tuv, Uvurkhnagai, Bulgan provinces)
7. Hogno Han
8. Tsambagarav
9. Suvarga Khairhan
10. Ikh and Baga Khangai (Hangai mountain ranges; on the way to Bat-Ulzii & Harhorin sums, or provincial districts)
11. Suvarga-Hairhan Uul (Arkhangai)

Aimag (provincial) level
1. Arkhangai: Tsogt Sumber (Chuluut sum)

2. Bayankhongor:    a) Erdenemandal (aimag center)
                                b) Hongor Hairhan (Galuut sum)
                                c) Bogd Hairhan (Ikh Bogd)

3. Bayan-Ulgii: Altai Tavan Bogd mountain (Buyant sum; Urianhai)

4. Bulgan: Bulgan Uul (aimag center)

5. Darkhan:  a) Darkhan Uul
                    b) Haliar or Haidag Uul
                    c) Noyon Hongor

6. Dornogobi:   a) Bayan Bogd (previously worshiped by Ulaanbadrah sum )
                        b) Sharilyn Ovoo (south of the aimag center; once worshipped)

7. Dundgobi:    a) Ikh Gazryn Chuluu (Delgerkhangai sum)
                        b) Baga Gazryn Chuluu (Delgersukh sum north of the aimag center)
                        c) Gurvan Saikhan

8. Gobi-Altai: Eej Khairhan mountain

9. Gobi-Sumber: Ikh Hongor (east of Ikh Nar, Dalanjargal sum; burial area for Hoshuu nobleman)

10. Hovd

11. Huvsgul:    a) Uliin Ovoo (Darkhad three sums worship)
                        b) Renchinlhumbe (same)
                        c) Dayan Deerh (Bulgan aimag shares with Renchinlhumbe and Chandmani sums)
                        d) Hovsgol Nuuriin Huis (Hovsgol Lake belly button)

12. Khentii: Undur Khan

13. Orkhon: Bayan-Undur mountain

14. Tuv: Lamtny Ovoo (behind Manzushiri Monastery)

15. Selenge:    a) Amarbayasgalant, Burenkhan
                        b) Tovkhon Khan mountain

16. Sukhbaatar: a) Munkh Khan
                          b) Altan Ovoo mountain

17. Umnugobi: Gurvan Saikhan mountain

18. Uvs:   a) Ulaan Uul (Ulaangom)
                b) Han Huhii Uul
                c) Tsagaan Ergiin Ovoo

19. Uvurkhangai: a) Ulziit mountain
                            b) Noyon Hairhan

20. Zavkhan: Altan Elst (aimag center)

21. Zavkhan: Bayasgalant