This monastery is located on
the border of the Uvurkhangai and Arkhangai province. It is situated on a flat
rocky area on the top part of the Shiveet-Ulaan Mountain and is surrounded by
wild forest and rock cliffs. Visitors hike 5 km up to the monastery from the
skirt of the mountain. The Tuvkhun monastery was first established in 1648 by
the 14-year-old Zanabazar first Jebtsundamba khutuktu Bogd. He first noticed
this beautiful place in 1651 and then he built a small wooden cabin for meditation.
That was the beginning of the Tuvkhun monastery. The monastery was built by
Mongolian carpenters and all the buildings have perfect mortises.
In 1992, the Tuvkhun monastery was
determined to be under state protection and now it is a significant historical
place in Mongolia. In the monastery, First Bogd Zanabazar created his great works
of art including Soyombo script along with many images of deities. Bogd
Zanabazar used to get water from two wells near by the monastery. His Mongolian
boot sole was 38 cm and hand prints were found in the side of a northwestern
rock.
Tuvkhun monastery used to have 14 small
temples. The monastery exists near a unique geological formation called the
‘Womb Cave’. The Womb Cave is on the top of high and stiff rock that is located
behind the monastery. The tradition of the womb cave dictates the method in
which individuals traverse 3 chambers. Women who enter the first chamber must
turn left when they reach the intersection of the 2nd and 3rd chambers, men must
turn right. The locals believe if person get through their prospective chambers,
men and women area reborn. The right chamber called “Ulgii” is tall enough for
a standing person, the left chamber “Senjit” is believed to cure those who
cannot walk. A cairn on top of these rocks is only men pilgrimage site and the
other cairn that is down on the left is only women pilgrimage site.
