Lhasa - Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street

Day 2 - Lhasa

Hotel in Lhasa.

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Jokhang Temple. 大昭寺
It is the most important temple in Tibet. The temple was constructed by King Songtsän Gampo in 642 to house two Buddha statues, which were part of the dowries of his Nepalese and Chinese wives, Princess Bhrituti and Princess Wencheng.

Pilgrims can be found prostrating in front of the temple. Many of them carry manual or electronic counters to keep tab of the number of times they had prostrated.

Main entrance into the temple. We happened to visit the temple on a sunday, a day when the temple is closed to the locals. We entered by a side entrance.
Note the padded mats and cardboards (for hands) used by the pilgrims. Some even placed extra padding on their knees.

A pillar in front of the temple where people hung their prayer flags.

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Barkhor Street. 八廓
Before we entered the temple, we strolled through the streets around the temple. There were a lot of stalls selling all sorts of wares. Barkhor Street is also known as Barkhor Square. It is the area around the temple.

One of the side streets.

Stalls selling trinkets and tibetan paintings.

One of many stalls selling prayer flags. Scriptures are printed on the flags. It is believed that one's prayers will always be said when the wind move the flags. So these flags can always be found at places which the locals deem sacred.

Stall selling tibetan musical instruments.

Errrrrrrr....
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Inside Jokhang Temple. There were restoration works in progress. Note brighter colours.

Murals decorated the walls. No photography is allowed inside the halls. This mural is found just outside the main prayer hall.

A doorway. Note the figurines found on top of the doorway. The number of figurines corresponds to the importance of the resident.

Close-up of the door knob.

View of the temple from the first floor.

View of the prayer hall from the third floor.

View from the fourth floor.

A portion of the wall is made from organic material. It's supposed to promote better air circulation.

A close-up of the organic material.

Golden rooftop decorations.

Close-up of one of the golden decorations.

View of the Square in front of the temple.

One can get a clear view of the Potala Palace from the roof of the temple.