Mongolia recorded a period in its history with no khan until 1911, after the death of Ligden Khan, the last Khan of the Mongolian Empire, in 1634. During this harsh period, Danshig Naadam united the scattered nation in the minds of Mongolians. It made them understand that they were the owners of their territory, religion, and culture, and it symbolized the sovereignty of Mongolians, the independent position of culture and religion, and unique ways of thinking. The first Bat Orshil Urguh, or Danshig Naadam, had historical connections with the First Bogd Under Gegeen Zanabazar and the establishment of the capital city.
Danshig Naadam was organized for the crowning Zanabazar, the five-year-old son of Tusheet Khan Gombodorj and a direct descendant of Great Chinggis Khan, as the First Bogd Jebtsundamba Khutagt. It was celebrated in 1640 in a place named Shireet Tsagaan Nuur.
Since this first festival, aristocratic nobles of the seven Khoshuus of Khalkha, scholars and wise men, religious leaders, and the public were united. Since this first festival, the Khalkhas were united and grew stronger by supporting the First Bogd Undur Gegeen.
A young lama won the wrestling tournament of the first Danshig Naadam, and he was known as the Wrestler Lama from then on. Bonkhor’s horse won the first horse race. Since then, a rule was set to provide titles and names to Naadam’s winning wrestler and horse, and Khalkha Doloon Khoshuu Naadam became a regular event. During Danshig Naadam the influential leaders who were gathered together discussed state affairs as well.
In 1910, the influential nobles and lamas secretly gathered in Nukht Cave of Bogd Khan Mountain. They agreed to revive the sovereignty of Mongolia and to ask for assistance from the Tsar of Russia. Subsequently, they appointed Khanddorj Chin Van, Da Lama Tserenchimed, and Inner Mongolian scholar Khaisan, and made important decisions for the independence of Mongolia.
The revival of Danshig Naadam kept Mongolians safe from forgetting and losing its invaluable cultural heritage, and we invite you to share this celebration with Mongolians, foreign guests, and friends. Danshig Naadam is the origin of today’s National Naadam Festival. Sh.Natsagdorj, well-known historian: It is interesting to note that almost all people from Khalkha Doloon Khoshuu gathered together for the first time in their history to have a big celebration of the crowning of Undur Gegeen Zanabazar as the First Bogd Jebtsundamba, the first Mongolian religious head.