– The Oldest Street In Lhasa
The old city of Lhasa is the section of town east of the Potala Palace. Mainly two stories white-washed townhouses are the homes for the locals. All these alleys are connected in one way or another to the Barkor, the quadrangle of the street surrounding the Jokhang Cathedral.
‘Barkor’ literally means the ‘Intermediate Circuit’ and refers to the circumambulation route immediately around the complex of buildings surrounding the Jokhang Cathedral. (A long circuit circumambulation called the ‘Lingkor’ used to run around the outside of the old city, along the river, and round the Potala).
The Barkor street is at once the religious and mercantile focus of old Lhasa. Pilgrims endlessly walk clockwise around it, pausing in their devotions now and again to inspect some merchandise and haggle over its price.
Both sides of the path are lined with shops and stalls selling all goods, from trinkets to tantric ritual objects. The Barkor is unsurpassed for having absorbed whatever traces of ancient Tibet are still present in the souls of the rich diversity of people who religiously pace its well-trodden streets.
To the southeast of the Barkor are the mosque and the Muslim district of town. Muslims from Kashmir have lived in Tibet for generations as traders and butchers.
It is possible to visit the mosque, which is easy to spot by the minaret sporting the characteristics of the Islamic crescent. However, it is surprising to see a mosque built in a Tibetan style, with pillars and decoration similar to those you would find in a Buddhist monastery.
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Although Barkor Street is a commercial street with many people, it still wholly preserves the ancient city’s traditional appearance and living style.
The people were saying the mantra with the prayer wheel and the prayer beads. Moreover, some doing the rotation around Barkor street by prostration. This kind of atmosphere will always remind you that this is in the holy city of Lhasa, not elsewhere.
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