Mongolia - Sacred Mountains of Mongolia

1. Otgontenger Mountain Otgon soum, Zavkhan province 2. Eej Khairkhan Mountain Tsogt soum, Govi-Altai province 3. Khanbayanzurkh Mountain Sainshand soum, Dornogovi province 4. The Great Bogd Mountian Bogd, Jinst, Bayangovi and Bayanlig soums, Bayankhongor province 5. Altan Ovoo Mountain Dariganga soum, Sukhbaatar province 6. Sutai Khairkhan Mountain Tonkhil and Darvi soums, Govi-Altai province; and Darvi and Tsetseg soums, Khovd province 1. Otgontenger Mountain N49° 30' 50" E97° 20' 50" 2. Eej Khairkhan Mountain N44° 56' 65" E44° 56' 30.65" 3. Khanbayanzurkh Mountain N44° 41' 38" E111° 02' 43" 4. The Great Bogd Mountian N44° 59' 35" E100° 13' 55" 5. Altan Ovoo Mountain N45° 21' 49" E114° 30' 50" 6. Sutai khairkhan Mountain N46° 38' 07" E93° 32' 35" Over the years, some of the mountains became venerated as sacred places, which are the “combined works of nature and man” and cultural landscapes of the highest order. Proposed serial property bears a unique living cultural tradition in Central and Northeast Asia of worshipping sacred natural sites such as mountains. The tradition of worshipping sacred mountains and waters is one of the outstanding cultural heritage elements created, developed and practiced by Mongolians since ancient times. The tradition initially developed and thrived during shamanic period and was later enriched with Buddhist ideologies and rituals. This significantly contributed to the preservation of our natural environment and wildlife as sacred and pristine. The tradition of worshipping mountains has very specific customs and rituals. There are many wonderful intangible cultural heritage elements associated with the worship of sacred mountains that have been preserved and continue to thrive, such as chanting sutras and sharing folk knowledge, legends, benedictions, odes, epics, folk songs, folk art and performing art.