Jokhang temple was constructed in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo’s wife from Nepal, princess Bhrikuti. It is one of the oldest temples in Tibet. The Jokhang is Tibet’s most sacred shrine and the focal point of pilgrims from the Tibetan plateau. It was situated at the heart of the old town of Lhasa. Queen Bhrikuti founded it on a site that Queen Wencheng deemed the principal geomatic power- place in Tibet.
In 638, the Othang Lake was filled with earth and transported by goats to facilitate the construction of the Jokhang. The original name of the town Rasa which means place of the goat in Tibetan was subsequently altered to Lhasa, which means home of God, following the temple’s consecration.
The main gate of the Jokhang temple faces west towards Nepal in recognition of Queen Bhrikuti, who bore the expense of the Jokhang temple. After completing the Jokhang temple in 647, the temple became known as Rasa Trulnang Tsugla-Khang, which means the magical apparition of Rasa. The original design appears to have had a Newar model, and only later was it said to have been modeled on Vikramashila Monastery in northwest India.
Queen Bhrikuti installed the primary statue of Jowo Mikyo Dorje, representing the Buddha as an eight-year-old, which Vishvakarman had made. But later, this statue was moved to Ramoche Temple, and currently, the Jokhang temple contains Tibet’s holiest statue of Jowo Rinpoche, which was brought to Tibet by Queen Wencheng from China.
Currently, it is one of the most visited places in Lhasa city, and thousands of Tibetans from all over the Tibetan region visit the temple.
