Travel Notes

Elista Temple

The world’s largest Buddhist Temple has been built in Elista. Construction continued day and night for nine months after, one year ago, local Buddhists promised the Dalai Llama that they would build a temple in the heart of Elista, long considered the heart of European Buddhism.

The temple was financed entirely by donations and its opening in January coincided with the beginning of the of the holiday of Zul. Yet work was not fully completed even by the time of the temple’s opening. A residence for the Dalai Lama has yet to be built, as do a dormitory for monks and a hotel for pilgrims.