Ongi Monastery

Name: Ongi Monastery, Ongiin Khiid

Location: Saikhan Ovoo, Dundgivi Province, Mongolia

Reason to Visit: It used to be one of the largest monastery complex in Mongolia, place to feel the history and culture of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia

Duration: At least half day

Our Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Ongi Monastery

Ongi Monastery, also known as Ongiin Khiid, is in the west of Saikhan Ovoo, Dundgivi Province, Mongolia. It is alongside the Ongiin River, hence its name. Ongi Monastery is not a temple, it is a temple complex. Properly speaking, Ongi Monastery is ruins of two monasteries, Bari Lam Khiid and Khutagt Lam Khiid. The Ongi Monastery Complex was one of the largest temple complexes in Mongolia, which accommodated more than 1000 monks. On the north bank is Bari Lam Khiid, which was built in 1810. and on the south bank is Khutagt Lam Khiid, which was built in 1760. Visitors can’t imagine that the ruins before their eyes used to be a large temple complex. Maybe they can’t even imagine what it should be in its golden age. Ongi Monastery is a popular stop between South Gobi and Ulaanbaatar, or between South Gobi to Arvaikheer.

Sad Story of Ongi Monastery Ruins

Ongi Monastery used to be a large temple complex, with more than 20 temples on the both sides of the Ongiin River and more than 1000 monks in the temples. At that time, there were even Buddhist colleges at the Ongi Monastery. However, due to the anti-religious purges, except for the Gandantegchinlen Monastery, all of the Tibetan Buddhism Temples were closed or destroyed in Mongolia. Unfortunately, Ongi Monastery Complex were destroyed at that time. What’s worse, more than 200 monks were killed at that time. Some of the monks escaped from being killed, they became herders. It is not only the damage to the monasteries and lamas, it is the damage to the Tibetan Buddhism and culture in Mongolia.

Temple Built on the Ruins

After the Cold War, some monks went to Ongi Monastery to open a store on the ruins. And in 2004, they finished a temple with some materials from the ruins. The former Ongi Monastery complex were ruins, maybe the small temple can be continuation of it. The monks in the temple will worship and chant even morning. And visitors can engage in them when worshiping and chanting.

The anti-religious purges is a disaster to Ongi Monastery. The building of the small temple is a way to remind the Mongolians of the existence of Ongi Monastery. It also reminds the Mongolians of the heyday of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia.

Visit the Mini Museum

The museum is called mini museum because it is a small yurt, or ger. It collects the artistic work that the monks hid and preserved during the anti-religious purges. The collections exhibited were protected by the monks’ lives. Some of the artistic work are magnificently preserved, while some of the collections are damaged.

There are paintings in the mini museum. Some of the paintings are well preserved, while some of the paintings are restored by pieces. And some of the pieces are lost. Visitors can see the original scene of the Ongi Monastery. You will see cups made by skull and musical instruments made by thighbone. In the mini museum, you can experience the culture of Tibetan Buddhism through the collections. And you get close to the artistic work, Tibetan Buddhism doesn’t seem to be a remote thing to you.

Hike on the nearby Hills

The hills near the Ongi Monastery provides visitors good place for hiking. On the one hand, visitors can have a panoramic view of the ruins of the monastery complex and the surrounding landscapes. On the other hand, they can see the picturesque scene of the river valley, a green part in the Gobi Desert. Also, you can see some yurts alongside the Ongiin River.

On the top of the hill, you can see the broken walls of the damaged buildings, which seems to fight with the time and history. Visitors can feel the large scale of the Bari Lam Khiid from the broken walls.

Sit on the top of the hill and see the sun gradually setting till it totally disappears. Your world is overflowing with vigour, with the river flowing, reed swaying and wind blowing. The big tree becomes small from the distance.

Camping by the Ongiin River and Camel Riding

The river valley provides suitable places for camping. Camping places are usually yurts. Camping is a good way to experience the nomadic life of herders and the nomadic culture. In Mongolia, you shouldn’t miss the chance to stay in the yurts to experience the local life. And the conditions of the yurts are not bad so you don’t need to worry about it. You can wander alongside the Ongiin River at your free time to experience the river in the Gobi Desert.

The camping place provides camel riding. If you are interested, you can experience camel riding near the Ongi Monastery. Riding a camel provides you another perspective to experience the river valley and the monastery.