Jokhang Temple

The Jokhang Temple is located in the centre of Lhasa City. It is the most sacred Buddhist temple in Tibet.

The temple was originally built for the statue of Buddha called Jowo. This statue was brought to Tibet by Brikuti Devi as a dowry when she married the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.

In the meantime, Princess Wencheng also brought another statue of Buddha from the Tang Emperor. For that, the Ramoche temple was built.

According to a Geomancy calculation made by Princess Wencheng. The land of Tibet is a female demon lying on her back, and her heart’s location lies at the location of the Jokhang Temple.

Before the construction of the temple, there is a lake at the location called Wotang. So King ordered the construction of the Jokhang temple after filling up the lake.

Many artisans are invited from the kingdom of Nepal to help with the construction of the temple. Meanwhile, Tang’s artisans are also invited to built the Ramoche temple to house the statue brought by Princess Wencheng.

Later, the two statues are intentionally switched to hide the location of the original statue. Today, the statue that we see in the Jokhang temple is the one brought by Princess Wecheng.

Daily life around the Jokhang Temple

In the Temple, beside the main chapel for the Jowo, there are also many other chapels for the statues of different Buddhas, Boddhisattvas, and saints.

These statues are so sacred for Tibetans that it is considered almost like the buddha Shakyamuni in person.

Every day thousands of pilgrims wait in line to pay homage and offer the Buddha statue. Also, Hundreds of people do prostrations and circumambulate the temple to accumulate merit and purify their sins.

At the same time, they pray for all beings’ welfare, recite mantras, and meditate on buddha or bodhisattvas to dedicate their prayers to all beings.

Travellers Guide to the Temple

During your Tibet tour, the Jokhang temple is usually the first place you will be visiting as it is considered the holiest. The street surrounding the temple is call Barkhor. It is the most traditional market in entire Tibet.

Besides the guided tour, travellers are free the explore the streets during the free time.