Gyantse Kumbum Stupa is probably the most beautiful and unique stupa in Tibet. No other stupa in Tibet could ever compare with the style and grandeur of the Gyantse Kumbum Stupa. As the name says it is located in Gyantse Town and it is a most prominent part of the Palchoe Monastery of Gyantse. It is the most prominent sites in Gyantse town along with the Palchoe Monastery and the Gyantse Dzong.
The Stupa was commissioned by the local prince commissioned the stupa in 1427 AD along with the entire complex of Palchoe Monastery. Design of this stupa is base of Stupa of many doors which commemorates the Buddha’s first turning wheel of Dharma at the deer park in Sarnath near Varanasi in India.
The word Kumbum means a hundred thousand statues. The Gyantse Kumbum Stupa is the aggregate of all the Chapels in Tibetan Buddhism. In it there is statues of almost all the masters, Buddhas and Buddhisatvas. This mandala shaped stupa has six layers, 108 Chapels, Terraces for the View of Beautiful town of Gyantse with the Gyantse Dzong fortress. Chörten is awe-inspiring with its crown of Golden dome and layers of a white wall with decorative stripes.
Inside the stupa, you will walk up in the spirals staircase. Architecture and the art on the wall murals and statue comprise artistic influences of Han, Nepalese, and Tibetan. This blend of culture fusion makes this Stupa a very famous not only for the tourist but for the local Tibetan Pilgrims as well.
There are Six floors to the stupa. The six-floor is usually closed for the Visitor. The fifth floor is the dome of the stupa which we Tibetan call Bumpa. This floor gives access to the terrace for the view of outstanding views Gyantse. All the lower floors are small chapels and Murals.
The entrance fees for this stupa is included with the monastery. Yet It will costs a worthwhile ¥10 for photos separately.
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