Religious festival “Danshig Naadam” approaches

Art & Culture
en_montsameuser@montsame.mn
2015-09-09 11:44:22

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ A religious festival “Danshig Naadam” will be held on August 7-9 on the occasion of the 380th birth anniversary of the High Saint G.Zanabazar, the first Bogd Khaan and the spiritual leader who ruled Khalkh in the 17th century and founded the modern capital city of Mongolia.

The UB City administration this year resolved to restore the old religious festival for the Buddhist faithful.

The festival’s opening will be performed in a way of religious service at the Gandan Tegchinlen Monastery of Ulaanbaatar on August 7.

On august 8, Buddhist monks from all monasteries around Mongolia will gather in Chingis square to dedicate blessings for the faithful.

Events such as tourism exhibition, stallion and five-year-old horse races, opening of religious dance “Tsam” festival, ceremonies for exalting the state banners and announcing the reincarnation of the High Saint, archery and wrestling competitions and other tournaments among the gathered monks, as well as a concert called “Colors of Mongolia” will run at Khui Doloon Khudag’s Naadam Complex.

On August 9, the Naadam will continue with the religious dance performances, a race of amble horses and the finals of the “three manly games” – wrestling, horse-racing and archery. The festival will close at 8 pm, Sunday.  

About the High Saint Zanabazar

Zanabazar was born as a son of the Tusheet khan Gombodorj – at that time one of the three khans of the Khalkha Mongols – and his wife, Khandjamts. Zanabazar became a religious leader of Khalkha in times when Mongolia became a vessel of Manchus.

He was a descendant of the great “Golden Lineage” of Chingis Khaan.

In 1640 Zanabazar was recognized by the Panchen Lama and the Dalai Lama as being a "reincarnate lama", and he received his seat in Ovorkhangai aimag. His Orgoo (“Palace” in Mongolian), located in center point of Mongolia – Burd soum, has become the founding place of Mongolia’s modern capital Ulaanbaatar.

"He is said to have pioneered in such widely diverse fields as medicine, literature, philosophy, art and architecture"

Zanabazar has been called the "Michelangelo of Asia" for bringing to the region a renaissance in matters related to spirituality (including theology), language, art, medicine, and astronomy. He personnaly created bronze statues of Buddha and other gods. Most of his precious artworks are now preserved in museums.

He also created an alphabet named “Soyombo”, the first letter of which is depicted on the current state flag of Mongolia.

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