Jokhang Temple lies at the center of the old Lhasa, is the spiritual center of Tibet. Everyday, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek a long distance to the temple. Built in 647 by Songtsen Gampo and his two foreign wives, it has a history of more than 1,300 years. The construction took 12 months. However, the original structure was small. Large scale reconstruction and renovation took place under the reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama. The temple is the product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural techniques. It houses many invaluable cultural relics. The most famous and valuable of these is the sculpture of Jowo Sakyamuni aged 12. It is one of the very few sculptures of its kind making it even more precious. Every year, the Great Prayer Festival is held in the Temple. Initiation rites into lamahood of the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lamas are also held in this monastery. |
