Today October 17th we took a wonderful drive outside of Lhasa to visit the Ganden Monastery. Driving through the countryside we spotted some traditional old homes, met with yak walking slowly across the highway and then started up a switchback that rivalled most we have ever seen. This monastery that was built in 1409 sits high on a mountaintop at 14,107 feet,a new record high for us and thankfully we felt no ill effects. The monastery was severely damaged in 1966 by the Red guards but has under gone extensive rebuilding. It was at this monastery that the current Dalai Lama took his final degree examinations in 1958. Though at one time there were as many as 5000 monks here it is now home to 400. We took a walk through the grounds and were warmly greeted by some of the locals. Though there was a total language barrier their warm smiles and sparkling eyes said it all when they warmly grabbbed hold of your hand. What a special moment. We arrived at the assembly hall as the monks were gathered to do their chanting and were welcomed in to witness this. Dozens of monks were seated in various ranks with the higher ones denoted with headgear while the head monk lead the chants from an elevated chair. Meanwhile the younger monks ran around filling all their tea bowls. The asssemby hall is very ornate and with all the burning insence and low lighting it was a wonderful experience. We toured through the chapel where we received a blessing from a monk where we bent over and he tapped us three times with some small pillow like objects. One women in our group is a black American and after he blessed her he pulled out his cell phone and asked if he could have his picture taken with her. One of those amusing moments. After our visit at the monastery we drove down the switchback to the riverside where an advance crew had set up a wonderful hot lunch with mess tent and all.
After dinner there wer plans to go visit the outside of the Potala Palace for pictures of it lit at night but as our bus approached the area it was totally blocked off. No explanation was given but we wondered if it could have something to do with the face that it was the cure Dalai Lamas Birthday and they wanted to avoid a gathering.
Our trip to the Ganden Monastery took us up our first of many switchbacks that we would encounter on this trip
The monastery sits at above 14;000 feet which was a new high for us
The buildings spill down the mountain side.
Have to have the odd tourist picture to prove we were actually there
Many of the buildings were badly damaged during the cultural revolution
The monks are chanting in the Great Hall. This is really relaxing to listen to even though you have no idea what they are saying.
Locals go through the hall giving money to each monk
Different headgear denotes rank amongst the monks. These would be the senior monks.
During the chanting time the younger monks circulate through pouring yak butter tea for all of the other monks
All over Tibet you see prayer flags strewn on the mountains. The smoke will be pilgrims burning incense though it could possibly be a sky burial
Children seemed to be tied to their parents back until the age of at least three
With no trees to be had one gathers what ever you can to burn
Bundles of prayer flags for sale everywhere
Beautiful landscape. Totally above the tree line
Yaks were grazing all over the place
Our lunch crew would go ahead of us and set up and cook a delicious hot meal. The tent kept us out of the sun and wind.
Line up and enjoy the scenery while you eat in the great outdoors
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