Ulaanbaatar, September 16, 2025 /MONTSAME/. The annual “Autumn at the Royal Palace” event, organized by the Bogd Khaan Palace Museum, officially opened with the inauguration of the art exhibition “Ulsiin Ekh Dagina Dondovdulam” and the launch of a three-volume book on September 15, 2025.

On this occasion, the museum is presenting a selection of priceless and rare artifacts once owned and used by the Queen Consort from its collection. Among them are a vest made from the chest feathers of a peacock, adorned with golden buttons, coral and pearl inlays, as well as a solid pearl vest; and a dagger with a jade handle, gold ornamentation, and a tiger’s eye gemstone.

Other exhibits dating back to the early and mid-20th century include jade “khuurug” (snuff bottles), “erikh” (prayer beads), aquamarine bowls, ruby, coral, gilt-gold “jins” (insignia, feathers, and gemstones adorning the hats), necklaces of silver, coral, pearl, and turquoise, jade ash containers, pipes, pouches, amulets, jade pillows, head ornaments, “khorol bel” pendants, coral and pearl necklaces, along with a variety of exquisite and luxurious jewelry and artifacts that draw great public interest.

One special feature of both the Bogd Khaan and the State Queen Consort was that all of their garments were always decorated with coral and pearls. Coral symbolized the blood and suffering of their people, while pearls represented their tears, signifying that the royal couple carried the burdens and sorrows of their nation. Naturally, these items are richly adorned with coral and pearls.

Director of the Bogd Khan Palace Museum, Ts. Erdenebaatar emphasized that all the exhibits, from the golden and silk scrolls and honors registered as priceless heritage to other artifacts, hold immense value.

At this exhibition, visitors are introduced to the picture book “The Story of the Ekh Dagina” by author Honored Cultural Worker B. Shuudertsetseg, the artworks by artist B. Gereltsetseg included in the book, as well as the scholarly work and archival materials on the Queen Consort published by the Bogd Khaan Palace Museum under the title of the Queen Consort Dondovlkham. Author B. Shuudertsetseg and artist B. Gereltsetseg created a children’s picture book to present it for the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Queen Consort, which was celebrated last year.

In addition, during the opening of the “Autumn at the Royal Palace” events, fourth-grade students from the “Goethe School” visited the museum and participated in a vegan food fair, a Toirom dance, and the educational program “The Elephant with a Hat”. On this occasion, embroidery classes aimed at promoting traditional crafts are also organized.

Dondovlkham was born on the 15th day of the last month of autumn in 1874 at the home of Tsenden Yumaa, in the woodland of Jonon Van Tsangligdorj of the Setsen Khaan aimag. Her parents bestowed upon her the name Dungaa. At the age of 22, she traveled to Amarbaysgalant Monastery to serve the saint during the pilgrimage of VIII Bogd Javzandamba Khutagt, where she met him and, by the hand of destiny, became his wife and the Queen Consort of Mongolia. This was the first instance of a Mongolian Bogd taking a wife, and in 1902, when publicly presented to the people, she received the name Dondovlhkam (Creative Daughter of Heaven), by which she became renowned among the populace. In historical documents and records, the queen’s name appears in multiple forms, such as Dondovlkham, Dondogkhlam, and Dondogdulam. The reason is that Mongols traditionally avoided using the real names of nobles and royalty, often changing or modifying them, as noted in the Bogd Khaan’s 1912 decree.

The exhibition “Ulsiin Ekh Dagina Dondovdulam,” continuing until September 22, allows adults and students to attend with one ticket shared between two individuals, while seniors, persons with disabilities, and children are admitted free of charge.

The Bogd Khaan Palace is Mongolia’s first museum and houses the richest collection of exhibits. The palace was built between 1893 and 1903 and consists of five main sections: the Summer and Winter Palaces, the Amgalan Enkh Gate, the Asart Three Gates, and the Yanpai Gate.