Ulan Ude

Surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys. Ulan Ude is like a picture book. Most of the local folk are oriental in features following a sect of Buddhism very similar to form followed in Tibet. The temple is the main attraction in the town. We paid it a visit. Temperatures were a sweltering 35 degrees and very hot.
The temple is about the Ivolginsky Datsan. A Large complex with several building you will see in the photos belows the complex contains

 

Dugars or temples. Sume a temple devoted to one god
Buddhist university
Wooden buildings where the lamas and monks live
The residence of Pandito Khamno lama of the Buddhist sanga of Russia
The palace of Pandito khambo Lama Dashi Dorzho Etigelov
Folk workshops

Peaceful and serene like most temples. It is surrounded by mountains and valleys on all sights. When I planned this jouney I did not realise I will visit Buddhist temples in Russia.

One of the most interesting stories in these parts is that of the Buryat Buddhist Lama Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov. Before his death in 1927 he left very strict instructions on how he was to be buried. He was to be buried in the lotus position (a position he died in, mid-meditation) and his body was to be checked on in 30 years time. In 1957 and then again in 1977 his body was checked upon by the monks and in both instances it was noted that his body had little sign of decay. Due to the Soviet governments stance on religion at the time, this finding went un-reported and it wasn't know to the world till 2002 when scientists and Monks explored it once again. An offical report claimed the body was that of someone who had died only 36 hours before and didn't show any signs of embalming or that it had been preserved. As of 2005 his body has been on display outside with people able to shake his hand....