Kharganatyn khuree
Read in Mongolian
Name(s) of Temple :
Kharganatyn khuree ,Sumiin tsagaan buir,Khoshuudyn khuree,
Rinchen Number :
40
Rinchen Name :
Dechingunchlin, Dechingunselin, Torguud vangiin Dashpandilin khiid
Type of Temple :
Monastic School
Aimag Temple located in :
Khovd
Sum Temple located in :
Bulgan soum
Old Aimag Name :
Zasagt Khan
Old Sum Name :
Khovdiin khyzgaar Mandal khoshuu
Description of location :
The area is on the way from Chonot to Burenkhairkhan. This land is in the range of mountains which extend from Bayangol mountain range near the eastern stream of Bulgan Gol. This area in a valley of Mongol Altai range, with its ecosystem of great diversity of water and mountainous range on the shore of Bulgan River, is frequently chosen by herders who migrate all four seasons looking for lush grazing land. The nearest settlement from the site is found within 1 km. Bayangol brigade centre in Bulgan Sum and is 18 km. from the Bulgan sum centre.
GPS readings :
North 46° 08’ East 091° 30’
Estimated site dimensions (metres) :
Side1: 500 Side2: 500 Side3: Side4: Side5: Side6:
Revived temple on site :
No
Status of site at time of survey :
Although the site has little remains to suggest that it was once occupied by a monastery, it is spotted easily by the herders who migrate into the area. Initially, the monastery was established in an area named Tsagaan Tokhoi on the eastern shore of Bulgan River. In the year the site was visited by our team), a businessman named Bayarkhuu Toshloi, who is originally from Khoshuud, built the stupa “Tsagaan” on this base in commemoration to the first establishment of the monastery. The second location the monastery moved to is called Kharganat, on the eastern shoreline of Bulgan River after crossing the Khuree river. during the communist era, this second area was reclaimed for cultivation of crops and livestock fodder and numerous theology books and altar fonts were discovered. Currently there is only a circular stone from the monastery building remaining on the site and this is used as a landmark by the younger generations in identifying this location. Also nearby the site are a few, possibly-worshiped trees with khadags tied to them. About 1 km. south of the site is a mountain, Khar Uul, with 13 of Altai’s owoos with altars of cedar and incense sticks mounted on the summit. The monks from the embankment worshiped these owoos of Khosuud. Over time, the owoos have increased to 21 in total. Also there is a flat rock with an ancient petroglyph which was worshiped by monks, found to the south of the owoos in the valley of the mountain. The locals believe that the petroglyphs of a wild goat and deer were painted by Tsagaan Uvgun (The White Old Man), indicating the customs and beliefs that were practiced by the locals.
Old monastery/temple revived:
No
Үүсгэн байгуулагч хүний нэр болон цол хэргэм (мэдэгдэж байвал):
Date of Reviving:
Monks in Old Temple :
about 30 monks
about 30 monks
Notes :
1. The population of Bulgan Sum in Khovd province is multi-cultural, including an indigenous group Khoshuud, a Torguud ethnic group that settled in the area after Khoshuud, and Kazakhs who arrived in the mid-20th century. In some official registrations and research works, the two ethnic groups Khoshuud and Kazakhs are regarded as of one ethnic group which is incorrect. However the ethnic group Khoshuud, a tiny minority of the population, has developed some similarities to the group Torguud in terms of traditions. Any area occupied by Khoshuuds was called Khoshuud’s Khuree (The Embankment of Khoshuuds).
2. The existence of Khoshuud’s Khuree is not mentioned in the list of academician B.Rinchen, however it was noted with a name “Dashpandilin Monastery of Torguud Van”. The geographic location confirms that the site mentioned above is the same one. The name Dashpandilin Monastery of Torguud Van at the in the slope of Tsagaan Tokhio could have been mistaken for the Khoshuud’s Khuree because the ethnic group Khoshuud was once administered by the Torguud Van administration. These days the locals call this site Sumiin Tsagaan (The White of Sum), possibly inspired by the fact the site was once occupied by a Khuree Church.
7. An embankment of felt gers on the monastery site near the shoreline of Bulgan River is a factor in diminishing of the traces and that makes it impossible to come up with the site dimensions.
Form Number :
ХОБГ 096
Survey Team :
Team А
