This year, Mongolia is marking the 110^th anniversary of the establishment of the Choijin Lama Temple and the 80^th anniversary of its museum. As a part of celebrating the anniversaries, a discussion entitled ‘Restoration of historic buildings – challenges’ was held earlier today (28 November). Participants noted that the country lacks restoration specialists for repairing historic buildings.

The structure  of the Choijin Lama Temple had not been repaired fully since 1971. The complex was begun in 1904 and completed in 1908, in honour of the State Oracle Lama Lubsanhaidub (Losang Kedrup), brother of the eighth Bogd Khan.

The Choijin Lama Museum was originally a Buddhist temple complex, consisting of one main and five smaller temples. It was active until 1937, when it was closed during the height of Communist repression against Buddhism and other religious traditions. In 1938 the complex was re-established as museum due to skillful efforts of wise people. This was how it was saved throughout communism.