Чёёря-хурул, Buddhist temple in Iki-Chonos, Russia
The Chyorya Khurul is a Buddhist temple in Iki-Chonos with a two-story structure and a three-tiered roof covered in golden tiles. The building is marked by traditional prayer cylinder holders positioned at its entrance.
The original Chyorya Khurul was built in 1903 and served as the residence of the Kalmyk people's Shadjin Lama from 1920. After decades of decline, it reopened in 2009 following extensive renovations.
The temple's name comes from Tsannid Choira, the theological school opened beside it in 1913, where monks studied Buddhist philosophy and ritual. That school no longer occupies the building; the khurul was reassembled and reopened in 2009. Its first lama was the Kalmyk poet and enlightener Boovan Badma.
The temple is open to visitors following its reopening in 2009, though it is wise to check opening hours beforehand. Visitors should wear respectful clothing and follow basic Buddhist protocols when inside.
Prayer cylinders called kurde stand before the temple entrance, containing Buddhist mantras that practitioners rotate clockwise. These cylinders are used by the faithful as an important part of their spiritual practice before entering the sacred space.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,705 contributors worldwide.