Picture of Tibetan couple praying towards the Potala palace on the square (Lhasa, China)

Tibetan couple on Potala square, praying towards the palace

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The icon of Tibet, symbol of the Dalai Lama, landmark of Lhasa, and according to some one of the New Seven Wonders of the World: the Potala Palace.
I stood still to just marvel at the sight of the Potala, while a stream of pilgrims was walking the kora or ritual circumambulation around the enormous building. I did not want to just walk in right away, but walked past the palace with the vast Potala square on the left hand side. Exactly in front of the Potala, pilgrims were prostrating and praying; the pavement was completely worn out here. The colours were contrasting brilliantly with the perfectly blue sky. Late in the afternoon, I returned to the square and visited the Chagpo Ri hill on the southwestern side. By this time, the sky was completely overcast. While I sat down to enjoy the view, openings appeared in the grey clouds above me, and a gentle sunlight was reaching the palace. The view was great: green trees in the foreground, the Potala majestically rising above them, and behind mountains with fresh snow defined the horizon. The next days, I always kept the Potala at a distance, and even considered not going in at all; not only because the palace is not used as such anymore, but also because I had heard disappointing stories by others, Tibetans and foreigners.
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