Otgontenger mountain

Otgontenger ( "Youngest sky") is the highest peak in the Khangai Mountains in Mongolia. Its summit is currently calculated to reach an elevation of 4,008 meters above mean sea level (some earlier topographic maps record a maximum elevation of 4,021 m). The mountain is located in Zavkhan province and is the only peak in the Khangai range that is capped with a permanent glacier. The south face of Mount Otgontenger is the most extensive granite wall in Mongolia.

Mongolians officially worship the mountain as a sacred mountain except for natural protection. The mountain has been worshipped between 1779 and 1911. Later in 1992, the tradition revived after the communist regime, Otgontenger Mountain and its surrounding 95510 hectares of area categorized under strictly protected area. The mountain has been officially and ceremonially worshipped once every 4 years according to the Mongolian president’s decree. The sacred name of the Mountain is Bogd Ochirvaani. The locals believe this 3 billion years old mountain (considered the first land of the earth) is home to the Buddhist deity Bogd Ochirvaan. The summit above the 2800 m is covered with permanent snow. Just below the snow line are a sacred Badarhundaga Lake, a sculpture of Ochirvaani deity, and presidential ovoo (a pile of stones from the worshippers).