One of the most beautiful spots in Gorkhi-Terelj National Park apart from its nature is Aryapala Temple. Surrounding areas attraction full of granite formation set among scenic valleys and hills with a winding river and groves of trees. Aryapala is a Buddhist God who listens to all the prayers of humankind and releases humankind from suffering. It was built in the shape of an elephant’s head. The number 108 is an auspicious number in Buddhism. Therefore the stairs leading to the temple consist of 108 steps and symbolizes the elephant’s elongated trunk. Moreover, signs with 144 Buddhist teachings, written in English and Mongolian, lined the sides of the path to the temple. Aryapala Temple belongs to the Kalachakra sect of Buddhism, which was built in 1810s by Mongolian and Tibetan artists and Buddhist monks from Manzushir monastery came to this temple to meditate. Later in 2000 buddhist monks of Lamiran temple in Ulaanbaatar initiated the project to restore this temple and completed the restoration work in 2004-2007. Lamiran temple monks sometimes come to this temple and cater religious service here and in many days of year it is open place for visitors and tourists, who want to thank for the god and do meditation.
