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Lhasa - Tibet
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Lhasa: The
capital of Tibet Autonomous region and situated at
the north bank of Kyichu river, a tributary of the
Yarlung Tsangpo river, Lhasa has history of more
than 1300 years. Lhasa is the main politics,
economy, culture and religious center for the Tibet
Autonomous region. The attractions of this city
(3650 meters) are the magnificent Potala Palace,
former seat of the Dalai Lamas, presides over the
city. Built in 1645 at the top of a hill, the palace
contains a thousand rooms, 10,000 shrines and
200,000 religious statues. Besides, the famous
Jhokhang temple, the Bhakor market, the Sera
Monastery, the Drepung Monastery (the largest in
Tibet) and the Norbulingkha are the major
attractions of this ancient city. |
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Places of interest in and around Lhasa |
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Potala Palace. The Potala
Palace is surely one of the wonders of the world. It
rises more than 3000meters over the valley floor.
This legendary palace, built a top a single hill is
synonymous with Tibet. First built in the 70th
century, as a fortress by Tibet’s foremost king,
Songtsen Gompo. It was expanded to its present
structure during the 17th century by the 05th. Dalai
Lama. The Potala was seat and symbol of the Dalai
Lama unique rule over the temporal and spiritual
affairs of Tibet. This 13 storey, 1000 rooms, living
quarter of the Dalai Lamas apartments for Regents,
Tutors, High Lamas, splendid ceremonial areas,
offices of Chapel, Shrine and corridors, Treasuries,
cell for monks and servants, granaries and store
rooms. The 05th Dalai Lama Kundung (chorden) is
covered with 3700 gold and the 13th Dalai Lama, with
a ton of gold besides priceless jewels. The palace
of Dalai Lamas have now become more a museum than a
palace. |
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Jokhang Temple. Situated in the heart of old
Lhasa, houses which was brought as a gift by the
Chinese princes Wen Cheng on the occasion of her
wedding the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gompo. It is
four-storey temple in the Tang style, but also
incorporates features of Nepalese and Indian
architecture. The temple enshrines the statues of
Shakyamuni, which was said to be brought to Tibet by
Princess Wen Cheng. Surrounding the Jokhang Temple
is the bustling Bharkhor market place which is the
religious and social focus of Lhasa. The ceremony of
for the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and the
Panchen Lama is held in front of the statue of
Shakyamuni. |
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Norbulinkha Palace: The “Jewel Pard” as it is
known in Tibetan, was built in the 18th century and
served as the summer Palace of the 13th and the 14th
Dalai Lamas. The palace is an interesting mixture of
religious and modern elements and as we walk through
to see the main throne hall, an audience hall, The
Dalai Lama’s Bed room and prayer room and the room
for his mother. This colorful garden landscape was
the site of picnic and public gatherings. The
Palaces are richly decorated, creating an atmosphere
of peaceful repose. |
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Drepung Monastery. Drepung lies 8 kilometers
west of Lhasa on the main road, the 3 kilometers
north and steep unpaired road. Its name Drepung
Means “Rice Heap”, was the biggest and the richest
of all monasteries in Tibet. This monastery is said
to be the largest monastery in the world, housing
over 1000 monks and governed 7700 subsidiary
monasteries and was divided into four colleges, each
with its chanting hall, dormitories, kitchens and
offices. It was founded in 1416 by the disciple of
Je Tsonkhapa, founder of the Yellow Hat Gelukpa Sect
of Tibetan Buddhism. The second, third and fourth
Dalai Lamas lived and were entombed here. The entire
monastic communities assemble only for special
ceremonies and festivals. Today, about 400 monks
lived there. Approaching drepung, you will see the
Nechung Temple, the home of the State Oracle the
something to sell over there. |
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Bharkhor Market. Walk along Bhakhor street
that circles the Jolkhang Temple and you are in the
heart of the old Lhasa with its narrow streets
white-washed stone homes, windows farmed in black
and brightly painted woodwork and almost everyone
has got something to sell over there. |
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