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| Barkhor Street |
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The center of the old Lhasa, Barkhor is a circular street, which is
the oldest street in Lhasa and remains very traditional. It is a place
where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts assemble and a place
to which a visit must be paid. It was said that in the seventh century
when Songtsen Gampo, the first Tibetan King (617 or ?-650) who unified
Tibet, married Chinese Princess Wencheng and Nepal princess Tritsun.
Later Princess Tritsun built Jokhang Temple to accommodate the Jowo
Sakyamuni aged 12 brought to Tibet by Princess Wencheng. Barkhor is
the road which pilgrims tramped out around Jokhang Temple through
centuries. Buddhist pilgrims walk or progress by body-lengths along
the street clockwise every day into deep night. They comprise most
of Lhasa's floating population. Careful visitors may find there are
4 columns, on which colorful scripture streamers are hung flying over
the street. All pilgrims walk outside of them to show respect. The
custom started in Tubo period (633- 877). To the west of the north
street of Barkhor, there is a juniper hearth, in front of which ceremony
will be held annually to hail Maitreya (Buddha of the Future). Tibetans
also pray before the hearth to expect fortune in the next year. A
yamun, which used to be the office of Lhasa magistrate, squats nearby.
A small lane northward nearby leads to a market, which has longest
history in Lhasa. There is a three-story temple, which was set up
in the Tubo period, and its pantheon still remains Tubo style after
many renovations. It was said that Tibetan characters were invented
in the temple. Barkhor, the sacred pilgrim path, is also a marketplace
where shaggy nomads, traders, robed monks and chanting pilgrims join
together. Shops and stalls, clustering, sell printed scriptures, cloth
prayer flags and other religious vessels, jewelry, Tibetan knives,
ancient coins and etc. |
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