The Republic of Kalmykia is located in the extreme south-east of the European part of Russia. The present culture of Kalmykia is closely connected with the culture of the Kalmyk people – the only people in Europe traditionally professing Buddhism.

“The Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha”, located in the center of Elista, the capital of Kalmykia, is the largest Buddhist temple in the republic and one of the largest Buddhist temples in Europe. Photos by: Vladimir Mulder.

beautiful Buddhist temple

Tags: Elista city · Kalmykia republic

Elista (in the Kalmyk language “elst” means “sandy”) is a city located in the south of the European part of Russia, the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Kalmykia.

Elista is known as one of the Buddhist centers of Russia. The temple “The Golden Monastery of the Buddha Shakyamuni” is the main attraction of the city and the largest Buddhist temple in Kalmykia. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

explore Elista

Tags: Elista city · Kalmykia republic