Danshig Naadam will feature rare religious artifacts

On August 4 and 5, Danshig Naadam Khuree Tsam 2018 will take place at Khui Doloon Khudag. This year’s festival will feature an exhibition to showcase rare religious artifacts from the Gandantegchinlen Monastery.

The festival will kick off with the Mandala ceremony followed by a debate between monks, Tsam performance, raising of the Soyombo banner, religious song chanting and the three manly games; wrestling among 256 wrestlers, horse racing, and mounted archery.

Danshig Naadam used to continue for 10 days and aside from wrestling, horse racing and archery, it included polo, acrobatics, and a song competition. There also was an event called Aldar archery where each region would send their best archer for the most highly awarded competition.

As preparation for Danshig Naadam, monks of the Gandantegchinlen Monastery will host the Jakhar Tsam’s religious conference from August 2 to 6.

The events of Danshig Naadam are renowned as the biggest Mongolian religious and cultural event that symbolizes the solidarity of Mongolia. As previously reported, the annual event started off in 1639 to celebrate the enthronement of High Saint Zanabazar as the first Bogd Jebtsundamba Khutuktu and the spiritual leader of the Mongolian people.

Since then, the festival took place even when Mongolia was under the control of other nations.