Narendra Modi visits Gandan monastery in Mongolia, gifts Bodhi sapling

Ulan Bator: Prime Minster Narendra Modi on Sunday handed over a Bodhi tree sapling at the Gandan Tegchilen monastery here, saying it was a token of friendship from the Indian people.

Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Mongolia, went to the Tibetan-style Buddhist monastery soon after his arrival here.

Modi handed over the Bodhi tree sapling to Hamba Lama (Chief Abbott) of the Gandan Tegchilen monastery.

"I could not have started my visit in a better way. It began with a visit to the historic Gandan Monastery, where I handed over a sapling of the Mahabodhi Tree. This is a token of friendship from the people of India," he said in his press statements after signing of bilateral agreements.

The Hamba Lama D Choijamts held the Prime Minister's hand and took him around the Vajra Tara temple inside the monastery premises where the Indian leader paid obeisance.

Modi was also taken to the sacred library at the temple, which has exhibits of old sacred books.

He also visited the Janraisag Monastery which houses a 26-metre tall statue of Janraisag Buddha.

The Prime Minister did a parikrama at the Janraisag monastery.

Gandan is the largest and most significant monastery in Mongolia. Built in the mid 19th century, it is the only monastery where Buddhist services continued to function even during the Communist period.