Fascinating Lhasa, A Pilgrimage

Even though the Dalai Lama has been exiled to India, numerous pilgrims still make their way to the various temples around Tibet to pay homage to Lamas past, to honour their particular Buddha (there are over 1,000 Buddhas), and make offerings. November is a prime month to visit because the farmers are done with the majority of their work and the nomads are on the move anyway. It was quite moving to see how intently the pilgrims made their way around the temples (often elbowing Kevin out of the way without any concern that he was twice the size of them)!



The view from the main square in Lhasa taken from Jokhar temple (in front of which the pilgrims in the first picture are praying)



This is the famous Potala Palace. We climbed its steep stairs during our first day in Lhasa...and with the effects of altitude it felt tougher than climbing the GREAT WALL. We were so winded and kept taking breaks. But it was a stunning sight and the pilgims and salespeople were out in full form.



Here is Kevin trying to avoid the advances of some eager saleswomen at the Potala Palace exit.