Yanjima is a unique Buddhist shrine in the Barguzin Valley.
Barguzin valley, located in the north-east of Lake Baikal between the majestic Barguzin and Ikat ranges, since ancient times is revered by the indigenous inhabitants of the Baikal region - Eveaks and Buryats - the Holy Land. The Barguzin Valley is the birthplace of Genghis Khan’s maternal ancestors, according to one hypothesis, the Great Khan’s tomb is located here.
The appearance of the Buddhist goddess Yanjima (the Indian name of the goddess - Saraswati - patroness of wisdom, art, mothers and children) on a stone near the village of Yarikto occurred during a visit to the Barguzin valley of the delegation of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha and its head Hambo Lama Damba Ayushev. Lamas came to consecrate the place of laying and building Dugans in the villages of Bayangol and Yarikto, as well as to choose a place for the construction of datsan Barguzinsky district.
In the area "Unigan" near the ulus Yarikto Lamam showed the place where a few years ago local residents found a ritual pyramid - "sasa" with the image of a thousand Buddhas. The relic showed the special significance of this place.
Lamas and believers continued to search for other relics, but the search failed. The Hambo Lama then decided to ask for the help of spirits while in meditation. And suddenly, in the middle of the trunks of trees, on a rock 10 meters away, he saw the face of the deity and exclaimed: "Endemnai Burhan suuja bayna!!!" Oh!! Here sits the god!!! Lamas and believers present also saw the image of the Buddhist shrine. It was later determined to be the goddess Yanjima.
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From the main dugan to the object leads a path (about 500 meters), narrowing as it rises. On the way, the trees are abundantly hung with hii-morin (flags-good luck in Lamaism). On the way there are several places to relax, equipped with benches. The object is located at the foot of Mount Uulzaha Barguzinsky ridge. On the rock fragment (about 3×6×2 meters) from the east side, bright blurs from grayish-white to orange colors are visible. The blurs are a phenomenon of the icon of the goddess Yanjima. The image is clearly visible at sunset.The place of the shrine is fenced around the perimeter, from 1 to 3 meters around the rock. Inside the perimeter at the rock itself on the left is a table and a bench of rectangular shape, stretched from west to east. Designed for the service of prayers. At the border of the perimeter under a ledge of stone on the ground lie children's toys, dolls. 5 meters from the rock, outside the perimeter there is a goddess on four pillars with a gable roof. It is made of wood, painted red, has two glass flaps. Inside there are two images of the goddess Yanjima, beads, rosary, coins, matches. The goddess is hung with hadaks (ritual scarf). To the east of the goddess is a house, the door is facing south. Inside there is an altar with the image of Yanjima, on the left there is a table on which there is a book with the petition of grandchildren, children, gratitude.
People come to worship the goddess Yanzhima from all over Russia and from other countries, here you can meet artists and musicians, poets and artists, and, of course, those who have long dreamed of children.
Author: Gankina Julia Nikolaevna
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