Ok, your comments set me wondering also about the shrines we had passed. We had just got a simple explanation, but on reading 'MONGOLIA- photo album' by Oktyabri Dash, I can now say the 'ovoo' is a type of shamanistic cairn, usually made of rocks or wood.
The blue 'khadag', a ceremonial silk scarf is symbolic of the open sky. To have a safe journey it is customary to stop & circle the ovoo 3 times in a clockwise direction. We would always pass in the 4 wheel drive vehicle on the left hand side & the driver would beep for the number of people in the car.
Oktyabri says, "Ovoos are also used in mountain & sky worshipping ceremonies that typically take place during summer." I was surpised to see Vodka bottles also on the ovoos, but these have been left as an offering.
I'm safely home now, but will continue to post about this amazing country.
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