Kharkhorin Rock, Stone sculpture near Erdene Zuu Monastery, Mongolia
Kharkhorin Rock is a phallic-shaped stone sculpture located near Erdene Zuu Monastery in Övörkhangai Province, central Mongolia. The monument stands protected by a fence and can be found along a marked pathway beside the main road.
This stone sculpture dates from the 16th century, when Buddhist monasteries used physical symbols to manage monk behavior. The monument reflects the role of such objects in monastic discipline and spiritual protection.
Local women visit this stone sculpture to seek blessings for fertility, blending Buddhist and traditional Mongolian spiritual beliefs. The practice shows how ancient customs remain part of everyday life in the region.
The monument is easily accessible as it sits along a marked path beside the main road toward Ulaanbaatar. Visitors exploring the Erdene Zuu Monastery complex will find it conveniently located nearby.
Two separate stone structures mark this site: the original smaller version within monastery grounds and a larger modern replica visible from the main road. These two versions show how this historical place has been reinterpreted over time.
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