1. Historical Significance
- Origins: Built in 647 CE by King Songtsen Gampo to enshrine the Jowo Rinpoche statue (a 12-year-old Buddha idol brought by Princess Wencheng from China).
- Name: Initially called "Rasa" (goat-earth, honoring goats that carried soil for construction), later renamed "Jokhang" (House of Buddha) after the 15th-century Great Prayer Festival.
- Political Role: Served as Tibet’s religious and administrative hub under the Dalai Lamas, hosting "Golden Urn" ceremonies for reincarnated lamas.
2. Architectural Highlights
- Layout:
- Four-story main hall with golden roofs, surrounded by prayer halls and courtyards.
- Mandala Design: Represents Buddhist cosmology, with the Jowo Rinpoche statue at its spiritual center.
- Fusion Styles:
- Tibetan (stone walls, wooden beams), Han Chinese (gilded roofs, painted pillars), and Nepalese (intricate carvings).
- Key Features:
- 103 carved wooden beasts on eaves, 1km-long murals depicting Tibetan history, and the "Princess Willow Tree" in the courtyard.
3. Sacred Treasures
- Jowo Rinpoche Statue: Buddha’s 12-year-old likeness, adorned with gold, jewels, and silk.
- Other Relics:
- 8th-century statues, thangka paintings, and ancient scriptures.
- Tang Dynasty artifacts from Princess Wencheng’s dowry.
4. Pilgrimage & Rituals
- Daily Practices:
- Prostrations at the entrance, butter lamp offerings, and circumambulation (kora) around the temple.
- Festivals:
- Losar (Tibetan New Year) and Saga Dawa draw thousands of pilgrims.
5. Visitor Information
- Hours: 9:00–18:00 (closed during midday prayers).
- Tickets: ¥85 (book online in advance).
- Etiquette:
- No photos inside shrines, dress modestly, and walk clockwise around the temple.
6. UNESCO Recognition
- Listed in 2000 as an extension of the Potala Palace World Heritage Site for its cultural and architectural significance.
