Mongolia | Baga Nuur | Tsagaan Sar

Popped out to the town of Baga Nuur to see Zevgee and his family for Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian New Year. This used to be a fairly tedious trip, but now that the road is paved the whole way it takes only an hour and forty-five minutes to get there. This is the first winter Zevgee has lived in Baga Nuur. Before he lived at his winter camp about forty miles up the Kherlen River valley. This winter he has left the care of his livestock to one of his son-in-laws and has retired to a comfortable log cabin in Baga Nuur. I first met Zevgee eleven years ago, as described in my book Travels in Northern Mongolia. Since then I have done seven horse trips with him and two camel trips, including horse trips to Burkhan Khaldun and Onon Hot Springs and Khargin Khar Nuur, and several other locales in Töv and Khentii aimags. In Bayankhonger Aimag, where he was born and his brothers still live, I did camel trips with him to Segs Tsagaan Bogd Uul and also on the old Amarbuyant Khiid–Shar Khuls Oasis–Ekhin Gol caravan route. Accompanying me to Baga Nuur was Mojik, who once went with us to Khargiin Khar Nuur.

Zevgee, Mojik, and Zevgee’s wife Tumen-Olzii
Traditional plate of boov, or ceremonial cakesSheep back and tail

Zevgee and Mojik
Mojik and Tumen-Olzii

Mongolia | Ulaan Baatar | New Year | Tsagaan Sar

Today is the first day of Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian New Year. (See Tsagaan Sar 2005 and Tsagaan Sar 2007) Welcome to the The Earth Mouse Year, which is the 22nd year of the 17th Rabjung, according to the Kalachakra Calendar. As you may know, Aniruddha, the 21st Kalkin King, is now reigning in Shambhala.