Jokhang Temple
Buddhist Temples | April 12, 2010Jokhang Temple (‘Dazhao Si’ or ‘House of the Lord’) is the holiest site of Tibetan Buddhists and is located at Barkhor Square in Lhasa. It is also known as ‘Tsuklakang’. Every year, scores of Tibetan pilgrims and foreign tourists pay visit to this attractive tourism destination in Tibet. The temple is four-storied tall and is spread over an area of 25,000 square meters.
Temple:
The temple exterior is decorated with deer and wheel motifs, the early symbols of Buddhism representing Lord Buddha’s first sermon.
The interior of the temple is dark and features labyrinth of chapels dedicated to various gods and bodhisattvas. Although the temple has been rebuilt at various junction of time, its original elements remain the same. The Newari door frames, columns and finials date back to the 7th and 8th centuries AD.
History:
Jokhang Temple was built in 649 AD by King Songtsen Gampo, the first ruler of unified Tibet. The wives of the king, Bhrikuti and Wenchang, of Nepalese and Chinese origins, respectively, played significant roles in promoting Buddhism in Tibet. The temple was built to house an image of Buddha known as Jowo Rinpoche. It was brought by Queen Wengcheng from China. The statue inside the temple is revered as the holiest object by the Tibetans.
The temple structure has undergone regular expansion over time. The fifth Dalai Lama carried out extensive reconstruction works of the temple in the 17th century.
Jokhong Temple emerged as a symbol of Tibetan cultural identity and resistance during the expansion of Chinese ambition in the region.
During the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) in China, part of the Jokhang was used as a pen for pigs while Chinese soldiers stayed in another section where they burned the temple’s ancient Tibetan scriptures. Even today, tourism activities at Jokhong Temple are closely monitored by the Chinese government. Only 100 monks are allowed to occupy the temple at a given point of time.
Attractions at the temple:
- Visit the temple at around 8 am to watch the pilgrims carrying out their worship and enter the temple around afternoon. The morning time is reserved for the pilgrims (opening time: 8:30 am to 6 pm).
- The 5 foot high statue of Buddha (Jowo Rinpoche) is the star attraction of the temple. The richly decorated image is flanked by altars of King Songtsen Gampo and his two wives.
- Image of Jowo Shakyamuni:
The pilgrims offer their prayer before this sacred image - Annual Great Prayer Festival (celebrated from 8th to 15th of the first month of Tibetan calendar) and also ceremonies of initiation for the Dalai Lama and Panchen Llamas.
- The third floor of the temple features an image of Palden Lhamo, the fierce protector of both Lhasa and the Dalai Lama.
- Barkhor Street:
A sacred path lined with market stalls selling yak butter and jewelry. The pilgrims circumambulate Jokhang Temple on this path.
Other attractions:
- Potala Palace:
The highest altitude ancient palace in the world, served as the residence of the Dalai Lama till the time when the later fleed to India.
- Ramoche Monastery:
Constructed by the people of Tang Dynasty of China - Klukang Monastery:
Located in the north Lhasa city, this monastery was constructed around the middle of the 7th century.
Best time to visit:
April to October is the beast time to visit. The winter here is tormenting.
How to Reach:
- By air:
Gonggar Airport is around 100 km from Lhasa. Airport buses operate till Potala Palace. The whole journey takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. Taxis are also available. - By rail:
Lhasa has been linked by railways from Qinghai Province. - By road:
Lhasa is accessible by road from Qinghai Province, Chengdu and also Kathmandu.
Accommodation:
- Kyichu Hotel
- Lhasa Century Hotel
- Tibet Hongshan Hotel
- Shang Bala Hotel
- Dhood Gu Hotel
- Yak Hotel
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It is more commonly known today as the Jokhang, which means the ‘House of the Buddha’.
For most Tibetans it is the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. It is in some regards pan-sectarian, but is presently controlled by the Gelug school.
Along with the Potala Palace, it is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Lhasa. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace,” and a spiritual centre of Lhasa.