Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple	Jokhang Temple

Located in central Lhasa in Tibet and built in 647 as the earliest wood-masonry structure in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple it is the ultimate pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Pilgrims, with an area of 25,100 square meters (about six acres).
The Jokhang Temple is one of Tibet's holiest shrines, originally built in 647 A.D. in celebration of the marriage of the Tang Princess Wencheng and the Tubo King Songtsen Gampo. The Chinese Princess, Wen Cheng, brought a sculpture of Sakyamuni aged 12 which was carved according to Sakyamuni's appearance whilst he was still alive. In order to house and preserve these holy sculptures, Jokhang Temple was ordered to be built.
The sculpture of Sakyamuni aged 12 is still well preserved in the Main Hall of Jokhang Temple. Every day, millions of pilgrims make a long pilgrimage to this most holy place to worship the Sakyamuni. The famous Barkhor Street was initially the way on which the pilgrims prostrated themselves and crawled around Jokhang Temple. Today, Tibetan people still follow this custom, moving clockwise around Jokhang Temple every dawn and dusk. In addition, the Great Prayer Festival is held in the Temple annually. Initiation rites into lamahood of the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lamas are also held in this monastery.