| Located in the heart of Lhasa is the Jokhang | | | | dharma that stand atop the main hall. This |
| Temple which is considered to be one of the | | | | hall is said to be 1300 years old and has a |
| most holy and sacred places of worship by the | | | | pathway of lights leading up to it. The |
| Tibetans. The temple has also been declared a | | | | temple was looted several times by the |
| world heritage site by UNESCO. It covers an | | | | Mongols yet this hall survived all the |
| area of almost 6 acres and is known for the | | | | destruction. The hall is supported by many |
| famous statue of Buddha that it houses. It | | | | pillars that are decorated with various |
| also marks the advent of Buddhism in to | | | | religious items. It is here that the famous |
| Tibet. It was only after the temple was built | | | | Sakyamuni statue sits. The statue depicts the |
| that Buddhism grew to its present position in | | | | great Buddha at the age of twelve. There were |
| Tibet. | | | | only three statues of Buddha that he allowed |
| | | | to be made during his life time. |
| The temple was built by the first King of | | | | |
| Tibet Songtsem Gampo as premises for the | | | | These were likeliness of him at the age of |
| Buddha statues that were bought by his | | | | eight, twelve and then after attaining |
| Nepalese and Tang wives. The temple was | | | | Nirvana. Since Buddha did not believe in idol |
| built in 647 and had only eight shrines. But | | | | worship no more statues of him were made |
| it has been extensively renovated many a | | | | during his life time. This great statue was |
| times under the Yuan, the Ming and the Qing | | | | designed by Gautam Buddha himself. It was |
| dynasties. | | | | bought by the Tang wife of the Tibetan king. |
| | | | This hall is considered to be the most |
| The temple is mostly Timber and is divided | | | | auspicious place in the entire temple and |
| into four stories. The tops of the domes are | | | | devotee's flock here to pay homage. Many |
| golden while the entire temple is open air. | | | | worshippers can be seen lying prostrate in |
| There is a central square which allows | | | | front of the statue as well as the hall. |
| complete view of the entire temple. Two | | | | |
| steles recording the alliance between Tibet | | | | There are golden dragons depicted all over |
| and the tang dynasty and ways to prevent | | | | the temple. Typical Tibetan spherical prayer |
| small pox are erected on the central | | | | bells are also found here and devotees are |
| courtyard. The architecture of the temple is | | | | seen rotating them in order to worship |
| essentially Tang as well as Nepalese. | | | | Buddha. Legend also has it that the temple |
| | | | was built on a lake that was filled up with |
| It is also believed that the original temple | | | | soil transported on sheep back. In fact the |
| was built seeking inspiration from the Indian | | | | name of Lhasa is also said to be derived from |
| vihara design. Apart from the shrines there | | | | the former name of the temple which was |
| is are two golden deer guarding the wheel of | | | | Ra-Sa-Vphrul-Snang. |