Янгажинський дацан, Buddhist monastery in Orongoy, Russia.
Yangazhinsky Datsan is a Buddhist monastery in Buryatia near the historic Kyakhta trade route, featuring multiple temple buildings, study facilities, and gardens. The structures display a blend of Buddhist and Russian architectural styles that gives the site its distinctive character.
The monastery was founded in 1830, beginning with just a yurt serving as a temple before expanding into a larger complex. It closed in 1938 during religious persecutions and remained inactive for decades until religious services resumed in 2020.
The monastery blends Buddhist and Russian Orthodox architectural styles, particularly visible in its five-domed temple structure. This combination reflects the region's layered religious heritage and how different traditions coexisted here.
The site is best visited during daylight hours when the temples are open to visitors and the grounds are accessible. Wear appropriate footwear since the terrain can be uneven with paths connecting the various buildings across the complex.
From 1903 to 1911, Dashi-Dorzho Itigelov, who later became the 12th Pandito Khambo Lama, served as abbot here. His spiritual leadership during those years shaped the monastery's development at a crucial time in its growth.
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