Bogd Khan Mountain

Russian envoy V.S.Turskii, the son of a Tobolsk landowner, was sent to the 1st Jebtsundamba Khutugtu Zanabazar (1635–1723) and his brother Tusheet Khan Chakhundorj in 1681.

In his report he makes the following notes when covering the period June 2, 1681, to June 16, 1681 (he describes two pavilions that were built somewhere between the current Sky Resort and MCS Coca-Cola Plant in eastern Ulaanbaatar): Near the Selbe river Darkhan Tabunang the zaisan son-in-law of the Tusheet Khan was moving with around 60 of his families.

In its forests there are all sorts of animals but hunting them is prohibited.In 1778, the Mongolian governor (minister) of Khuree (Urga, present-day Ulaanbaatar) Sanzaidorj sent a letter to the Qianlong Emperor requesting approval of annual ceremonies dedicated to Mount Bogd Khan Uul.

The text of governor Sanzaidorj's translated letter reads: Your servant San and us we hereby raise and pronounce this earnestly.

Indeed the many princes, dukes, banner governors, saints and disciples of the Khalkha all regard this mountain as marvelous and the former old Khutugtu (Zanabazar) himself worshipped it.

Your servant Sanzaidorj and the lamas have annually worshipped the mountain, as have each of the princes, dukes and banner governors who come to participate in the Assemblies.

As your servants see it, if the Lord sends incense and all necessary silks from the relevant subject ministry and ensures annual officially funded worship ceremonies, it seems that would greatly benefit the many people here.

Since all the saints and disciples of the four Khanates of the Khalkha are earnest in saying that this Khan Uul is very marvelous, please deign to allow annual officially funded worship ceremonies in the same way as is done for Mosuur Pass.

If dispatches are sent as has been begged for in this request for Royal Decree, every year during the two seasons of spring and autumn incense and all necessary silks can be sent to your servants from the subject ministry while here cows, sheep and the like can be provided.

A Royal Decree was issued on the 25th day of the 9th month of the 43rd year of Tengeriig Tetgesen saying: From the administration of Sanzaidorj has come the pronouncement that in the south of Khuree there is a certain Khan Uul.

Upon review, it has been raised, pronounced and begged that incense and all necessary silks be sent from the interior in order that worship ceremonies be held in the same way as is legally done for Mosuur Pass.

In a true psychological war, his men also spread dark rumors that it was a call to the gods, Japanese reinforcements, Russians, or Buriats… This escalated into total paranoia among the Chinese forces, astounded by the fact that Ungern had dared to enter Urga by day, and had corrected a sentry who had fallen asleep by striking him with a whip for lowering his guard.

Ungern lit final bonfires to make believe in esoteric rites, like the arrival of his reinforcements, conforming to the myths that his spies spread in the city.

[7][8] On February 1, 1921, Ungern, after years of wandering and modest exploits, laid the first stone of his demented dream to restore the Mongol Empire.

The spirits of the mountain were visualized as a strong Khangarid bird and a white-bearded old man riding a deer (Цагаан Өвгөн).

It was permanently staffed by two monks who were met weekly by the mountain police to replenish their candle oil and food supplies.

A satellite image, showing Bogd Khan Mountain in the center, Ulaanbaatar in the northwest corner, Tuul River running between the city and the mountain, the town of Zuunmod south of the mountain, the town of Nalaikh east of the mountain, and Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport west of the mountain