Tibet: Jokhang Temple in Lhasa
Jokhang Temple is the most sacred temple in the Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded by the King Songtsen Gampo in 652 and a lake was filled in the heart of today’s city of Lhasa to built it upon. The temple was built to commemorate his marriage to two princesses – Princess Wencheng of the Chinese Tang dynasty and Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal – this bringing the Tibetan Kingdom peace with both southern and Eastern neighbors and also bringing Buddhism to China. The temple is simple from the outside but is beyond incredible from the inside and the inner court – the paintings are over 1000 years old, and gold statutes of Buddhas weight thousands of kilos in pure gold! The temple’s cultural trove is just surreal – artifacts from Tibet, Nepal, and ancient China fill the lower rooms. Then on top are pure gold cupola and statues on the rooftop, shimmering with blinding light in the Tibetan sun! The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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