On November 1, 2026, residents of Kalmykia marked Lhabab Duchen, the Day of the Descent of Buddha Shakyamuni from the Heaven of the Thirty-Three Gods, one of the four major Buddhist holidays. A solemn prayer service took place at the Central Khurul, the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni in Elista. The Head of the Republic of Kalmykia, Batu Khasikov, attended the service early in the morning. He was met by Shajin Lama of Kalmykia Geshe Tenzin Choydak and Kamby Lama of the Republic of Tuva Loden Sherab. Khasikov offered prayers, made offerings, tied khadaks, and lit lamps.
Particular attention was drawn to the consecrated sand mandala of Buddha Amitayus (associated with longevity and compassion), created by monks from Drepung Gomang Monastery. The mandala remains open for viewing at the Central Khurul for the next two weeks until its destruction ceremony around November 15. Monks noted that simply contemplating the mandala and circumambulating it with good thoughts generates great merit.