Culture of Mongolia
The 26.5-metre-high statue of Migjid Janraisig or Avalokitesvara, a Buddhist bodhisattva, in its Tibetan style temple at Gandantegchinlen (Gandan) Monastery in Ulaanbaatar. The original statue, made of copper, was built as an attempt to restore the sight of Bogd Javzandamba (or Bogd Khan, Emperor of Mongolia). Russian troops dismantled it in 1938 and looted the copper. It was rebuilt in 1996 with donations from Japan, Nepal and the Mongolian people, and is gilded with gold leaf.
Photo by Ludo Kuipers, Wed Jul 27, 2011