Today is Great-Duichin Day or  the day of “Zul” (religious candle) lighting, which occurs on the 25th day of the mid winter month, according to the Lunar calendar this year it falls on November 28th.

This day is believed to be the day that Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), famous teacher of Tibetan Buddhism whose activities led to the formation of the Geluk school in Tibeto-Mongolian Buddhism, passed away and transferred into the state of “nirvana” or enlightenment. It is said that on this day numerous light appeared in the sky. It occurred at the same time that monks prayed for good wishes for all.

Since then Buddhists lit the religious candle, zul, and incense on this day. Now the Great Duichin Day is celebrated in countries where the buddhist population is in majority.

Traditionally vast numbers of the Mongolian Buddhist population headed to monasteries where they held a wide range of mantra praying for good deeds or Punya. Most prayers on this day must be for charitable activities for a good deed of six realms of existence according to Buddhism.

Today, on Great Duichin Day, Gandan Monastery was busy with well wishers and Buddhists conducting prayers. According to the local report there was a long queues near the tree of wishes, the religious light, the zul lighting places and for the rice sale for pigeons.