Potala Palace (Lhasa)

Potala Palace (Lhasa)
The Potala Palace, perched high above Lhasa on the Marpori (red mountain), is a place of spiritual pilgrimage and a mammoth tribute to Tibetan architectural skills. The name Potala derives from the Sanskrit 'Bodala' meaning Buddha's Mountain.

In the 7th century King Songtsen Gampo first built a small meditation pavilion on this site which was followed later by a palace. During the 9th century these buildings were destroyed after lightning set them on fire. On the orders of the 5th Dalai Lama construction was started in 1645, but he died before the Red Palace was started. However, before dying he asked his Prime Minister (Regent) to conceal his death lest construction work be discontinued. The Prime Minister found a monk who resembled the deceased and thus was able to conceal the death and all 13 storeys were completed. From the time of the 5th Dalai Lama onwards, the Potala became the official winter residence of the successive Dalai Lamas.