Drepung Gomang monastery in diaries of pilgrims and researcher-travellers (18th - the beginning of the 20th century)

The article is devoted to the study of documentary evidence of researchers and travelers about Drepung Gomang monastery. The descriptions of the monastery are considered from the earliest pilgrimages of Buryat, Kalmyk lamas, laity of the 18th century up to scientific expeditions of the beginning of the 20th century. Pilgrims’ aim of visiting Tibet was to venerate the holy relics and to get religious education, and researcher-travelers wanted to explore the country, its land, geography, life of clergy and laity. Both pilgrims and researcher-travelers managed to accomplish their goals of visiting the Drepung Gomang monastery and to leave their diaries with unique information about the monastery.