Located on the eastern end of Ulaan Baator, Gandan Monastery is the center of Buddhism in Mongolia.

Made up of over a dozen temples and datsans, Gandan exudes an inexplicable sense of calm.

The morning was frigid as we made our to the Vajradhara Temple for its daily service.

The doorway to the temple was draped with a heavy blanket to keep the crisp air out.

Inside, people filled every corner of the room.  Monks chanted methodically while colored ribbons were tied to the top of a wood and glass box.  Handfuls of rice rose into the air and fell gently to the floor.

The crowd crushed froward, attempting to grab and drape the ribbons over their shoulders.

After serval minutes of prayer, devotees filed one-by-one past the alter at the front of the room to leave offerings; an orange, a trinket, rice.

Outside, snow began to fall and the wind stung our faces.

Pigeons flooded the courtyard and visitors sought refuge from the cold.

We made our way to the imposing Migied Janraisig building – the symbol of Mongolian independence – that houses a four-story golden Buddha.

Prayer columns surrounding the statue were hand-spun for good luck.

The walls were lined with effigies of past llamas; killed during the Persecution from 1937-1939 when communists attempted to eradicate Buddhism in Mongolia.

Monks lingered in open doorways as we left the monastery in search of a cafe for hot tea to warm our numb fingers.  Though we only spent a morning at Gandan, we left frozenfeeling placid; centered and clear-minded before heading back into the pulsing center of UB.