Picture of Smoke rising above silhouette of Jokhang temple at sunrise (Lhasa, China)

Jokhang temple at sunrise with smoke from burning juniper branches

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The most sacred of sacred buildings in Tibet, the Jokhang is like a beehive with devout Tibetans flowing in and out, a magnet drawing pilgrims from the remotest areas of the country.
Called cathedral by Heinrich Harrer, the Jokhang temple lives up to this label by being the most sacred structure for Tibetan buddhists, and attracts Tibetans not just from Lhasa but also from very remote places. All day long, you can see Tibetans prostrating in front of the temple, at times giving the impression of a huge open-air exercise area, with the distinct sound of wood scraping over stone. The Jokhang is inevitably linked to the lively and commercialized Barkhor circuit - but when you get close to the entrance, easily recognizable by prayer poles, incense burners, hundreds of butter lamps and two stele, the atmosphere changes. Here, devout buddhists gather to pray, often staying for a long time. During the day, when the doors of the temple are open, a steady stream of pilgrims visit the temple itself.
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