The palace was originally built in the 640's, during the reign of King Songtsan Gampo. From as early as the eleventh century the palace was called Potala. This name probably derives from Mt. Potala, the mythological mountain abode of the Bodhisattva Chenresi in southern India. The Emperor Songtsen Gampo had been regarded as an incarnation of Chenresi. Given that he founded the Potala, it seems likely that the hilltop palace of Lhasa took on the name of the Indian sacred mountain.

His original structure was destroyed in the ninth century, during a turbulent regime change. It was rebuilt during the reign of the fifth Dalai Lama, Lozang Gyatso , and construction was completed in the late 17th century. By the 1700s, it was commonly called the Winter Palace.

Fulfilling numerous functions, the Potala was first and foremost the residence of the Dalai Lama and his large staff. In addition, it was the seat of Tibetan government, where all ceremonies of state were held; it housed a school for religious training of monks and administrators; and it was one of Tibet's major pilgrimage destinations because of the tombs of past Dalai Lamas. It is an immense structure, standing 117 meters high. There are over 1,000 rooms, and the entire complex covers an area of 130,000 square meters.

The Red Palace is the central portion of the complex, and is so named for its distinctive crimson colored walls. The main central hall is the Great West Hall; it consists of four great chapels that proclaim the glory and power of the builder of the Potala. It is decorated with many fine murals, depicting events in the fifth Dalai Lama's life. The famous scene of his visit to Emperor Shun Zhi of China is located on the east wall outside the entrance. The Hall's numerous columns and pillars are swaddled with intricate cloth from Bhutan.

On the north side of this hall in the Red Palace is the holiest shrine of the Potala. A large blue and gold inscription over the door was written by the 19th century Chinese Emperor Tong Zhi. proclaiming Buddhism a Blessed Field of Wonderful Fruit. This chapel like the sacred Dharma cave below it dates from the seventh century. It contains a small ancient jewel encrusted statue of Bodhisattva Chenresi and two of his attendants. On the floor below, a low, dark passage leads into the Dharma Cave where Songsten Gampo is believed to have studied Buddhism . In the holy cave are images of the Tibetan King, his wives, his chief minister and Sambhota, the scholar who developed Tibetan writing in the company of his many divinities.

Enveloping the Red Palace are the structures of the White Palace. This is the secular area; it contains the living quarters, the seminary, the printing house and assorted offices. A central, yellow-painted courtyard known as a deyangshar separates the living quarters of the Lama and his monks within the Red Palace, from the more woldly affairs. The White Palace contains the tombs of eight Dalai Lamas, the assembly hall for the monks, numerous chapels and shrines, and libraries. Giant banners are also kept here. They are embroidered with holy symbols; they are hung across the south face of the Potala during New Year festivals.

The Potala has been a sacred place for many generations. Each year, thousands of devoted pilgrims from Tiber, China and abroad return to the city to make prayers and offerings. Other tourists visit as well, enjoying the traditions and culture of a land that was for so long a mystery.

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The image of the Potala Palace was taken by the Flickr photographer the boy with the thorn in his side. He has released this photo for use under the Creative Commons License.

City-builder: Rinzen Jampa
Shibori Murasaka