Location: Elista
Top Things to do in Elista
- 1. Buddha Shakyamuni Golden Abode
- 2. Pagoda Seven Days
- 3. Old Hurul/ Buddist Tample
- 4. Palmov Kalmykia Republican Museum of Local Lore
- 5. Alistinskaya Stupa of Enlightenment
- 6. Monument End and Return
- 7. City Chess
- 8. Ostap Bender Monument
- 9. Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan
- 10. Museum of Oirat-Mongolian Nomad Culture
What to do and see in Elista, Russia: The Best Places and Tips
Elista (Russian: Элиста, IPA: [əˈlʲistə] or [əlʲɪˈsta]; Kalmyk: Элст, Elst) is the capital city of the Republic of Kalmykia, Russia. Population: 103,749 (2010 Census); 104,254 (2002 Census); 89,695 (1989 Census).
Restaurants in Elista
1. Buddha Shakyamuni Golden Abode
Overall Ratings
5 based on 256 reviews
Reviewed By Tinde_K - Moscow, Russia
Very interesting visit. Beautiful temple, from inside and outside. There's a museum on the floor below the temple, it's free to see and 50 rubles per person for a guided tour (for groups of five and more people), which is a steal as it's informative and entertaining. A must see when in Elista.
2. Pagoda Seven Days
Overall Ratings
5 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By Khasyr C
Manjushri mantra One hour--Om A Ra Pa Ca Na Dhih ( Sanskrit)
Om Ara Pa Za Na Di (Tibetan)--More info below
Mañjuśrī is the oldest and most significant bodhisattva in Mahāyāna literature. Manjushri is a Bodhisattva who represents wisdom, and his mantra also symbolizes that quality. He holds a sword in his right hand — symbolizing his ability to cut through delusion. In his left hand, by his heart, he holds the stem of a lotus flower, which bears a book — the Perfection of Wisdom teaching, or Prajnaparamita.
Om A Ra Pa Ca Na Dhih
OM Mystic syllable, considered the most sacred mantra
A leads to the insight that the essence of all things is unproduced.
RA leads to the insight that all things are pure and free of defilements.
PA leads to the insight that all dharmas have been “expounded in the ultimate sense.”
CA leads to the insight that the arising and ceasing of things cannot be apprehended because in reality there is no arising or ceasing.
NA leads to the insight that although the names for things change the nature of things behind their names cannot be gained or lost.
DHIH Reflection , meditation , devotion , prayer; understanding , intelligence , wisdom
3. Old Hurul/ Buddist Tample
Overall Ratings
5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By kermci - Bratislava, Slovakia
It's one of the most magic places I've visited in my life. of course, it's possibly because my origin is in Kalmykia, but still. So, the story is following: after the religion started to recover in Kalmykia, the temple was build, and visited by Dalai Lama. Then, when the new Temple was build in the center of Elista, it became too far away for citizens to visit this one, So, none, except buddistic monks are around, Just the nature, steppe and you. Silence, sun, and wooden made buddistic temple with amazing pictures and unbelievable energy around, It's 6 km from the city. You just come, and hear the wind and atmosphere. I really recommend!
4. Palmov Kalmykia Republican Museum of Local Lore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By kermci - Bratislava, Slovakia
It's the biggest and almost the only one place, where plenty of knowledge about Republic of Kalmykia is accumulated. Old style museum, very much Soviet Union style, even if located in newly renovated beautiful building. Everything about nature, mineralogical situation in the region, history of Kalmyk people and their traditions and culture. Must see, to get full information about this unique folks.
5. Alistinskaya Stupa of Enlightenment
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Tinde_K - Moscow, Russia
This stupa is a must see and it's easy to reach as it's quite close to the City Chess. It features beautiful wall paintings and a massive prayer drum in the middle.
6. Monument End and Return
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By kermci - Bratislava, Slovakia
It's very much impressive monument, which was built to express the pain of all Kalmyk people after violence genocide of the folk in 1944. In Dec 1944 all Kalmyk people were deported to Siberia and Kazakhstan, including children and woman, Almost half did't survive during deportation, It's very impressive, when on the anniversary thousands of people gather here, with flowers, even in the end of December the weather is not that helping to stay away for long.
7. City Chess
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By Tinde_K - Moscow, Russia
City Chess is a must-see attraction in Elista, but it fills me with mixed feelings. It is a part of a much larger project that was supposed to be built, as you can see in the model of the complex in the main building. In the end, only a quarter of what was planned was built. There's a chess museum in the main building, a model yurt, two restaurants and many houses. Now it's more upper market housing complex, unfortunately, they managed to build it on the only piece of hill around completely flat landscape, so some of the floors have been sinking. Anyway, definitely do go and see, if only for the curious and strange nature of the complex.
8. Ostap Bender Monument
Overall Ratings
4 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Mlandege
I am not a big friend of the Soviet arts but anyway I felt happy when I saw Ostap Bender in Elista. He is the cheerful hero of the book “The Twelve Chairs” by authors Ilf & Petrov in 1928. Instead of tanks there should be more monuments of cheerful heroes in this serious world.
9. Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By kermci - Bratislava, Slovakia
It's very cute and nice orthodox church, located a bit outside of city center of Elista, in the so called "Russian" part of the city. It's supported very much by all the levels of government and religious authorities, being excellent example, how can two different religions live side by side and safely in one region of Russia.
10. Museum of Oirat-Mongolian Nomad Culture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
You will hear the story about the Empire of Genghis Khan. you can make photos in Mongolian clothes,shoot archery,will see a live wolf.
Reviewed By mnckt - Russia
It's a good place to make acquaintance with kalmyk traditions and history. There is a lot of traditional clothes and household items.
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