This is the largest image of Buddha Shakyamuni that can be found in Russia. It is located in Buryatia, one of the Buddhist republics of the Russian Federation. The 33-metre (108 feet) tall holy image is carved on Bayan-Khongor rock near the village of Bayan Gol in Khorinsky District, one of the administrative and municipal districts in Buryatia. On September 10, 2016, Venerable Yelo Rinpoche performed a consecration ritual to bless the Buddha Shakyamuni image. About 4,000 pilgrims from different parts of Buryatia and other cities of Russia attended the historical event. During the ritual, they made a symbolic one million flowers offering to the image, together with an abundance of food and candle offerings. The sacred image is specifically designed to be 33 metres (108 feet) tall because the number 33 is considered sacred in Buddhism, it is related to Trayastrimsa heaven which is the celestial dimension of 33 gods. Lord Shakyamuni ascended into this particular heaven to give teachings and this is also the realm where Buddha’s mother Queen Maya took rebirth in after she passed away. The image of the universal teacher Lord Buddha Shakyamuni was carved onto the rock with minimal impact on the natural surroundings. […]