Green Palace in Ulaanbaatar
The Winter Palace of the last Mongolian Bogd-khan
Bogd-khan's Green (or Winter) Palace was built in 1905 and served as the seat of the eighth and last Bogd-gegen (Bogd-khan) of Jebcundamp Chutucht, a Mongolian religious and political leader who died in 1924. The palace with a large temple complex is surrounded by a wooden fence. It is located in the southern part of Ulaanbaatar, near the Tuul Gol River and Bogd Uul Mountain. In 1961, a museum was established here, which includes a number of very valuable exhibits and works of art.
Model of the Winter Palace and the temple complex
The term Bogd-gegén usually means the 8th Bogd-khan of Jebcundamp Chutucht, who was the head of the Lamaist Gelugpa School in present-day Mongolia (formerly Outer Mongolia) from 1911 to 1921. Bogd-gegén is considered to be the incarnation of Buddha Chänräziga and therefore to be a living Buddha. He died in 1924. He is sometimes referred to as the „blind Buddha“ because he became blind in old age.
North corner of the Winter Palace building
The building of the Winter Palace, built in the style of European architecture, was built in 1905 on the orders of Russian Tsar Nicholas II. At present, there is an extensive museum with valuable exhibits, such as some of Dzanabadzar's works of art, Bogd-khan's snow leopard fur yurt, a collection of jewels and gifts that Bogd-khan received from his visits. You will also find a collection of stuffed animals and several erotic drawings.
Side gate
Visitors enter the temple complex through a smaller side gate, standing to the left of the main entrance.
Triple gate
The original entrance to the complex led through the Triple Gate. It is currently closed.
Peace Gate
Then we continued with the magnificent Peace Gate.
Roofs in the temple complex
The temples of the Winter Palace are also known as the Temples of the Monastery, which spreads wisdom.
Detail of the roof of the Maharaja temple
Behind the gates stands the first of the temples, the Maharaja Temple, which houses an exhibition of Mongolian instruments along with paintings, jewelry and gems.
Gazebo at the Maharaja Temple
There are a pair of gazebos on the sides of the Maharaja temple.
Maharaja Temple
Rich decoration of the roof of the Maharaja temple.
Temple of the Apostles Naidan
People used to go to the temple of the apostles Naidan to pray for the happiness and long life of Bogd-gegén.
Temple of the Apostles Naidan
In front of the entrance to the temple stand two stone „guards“. There are two smaller temples on the sides with a collection of fabric decorations and paintings.
The main temple of Nogoon Lavran
The main temple houses statues of Mongolian, Tibetan and Chinese artists of the 18th and 19th centuries. Bogd-khan himself went to the temple to pray for privacy.
The main temple of Nogoon Lavran
Detail of the decoration above the entrance.
Ornate ceiling of Bogd-khan's library
Along the sides of the Main Temple are two smaller temples that served as Bogd-khan's library.
Smaller side temple
Detail of the roof of the side temple.
Smaller side temple
Detail of the roof.
Defenders of the Winter Palace
In front of the Maharaja temple stand statues of the protectors of the temple complex.
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