Potala Palace getting face-lift
( 2003-11-10 13:57) (Xinhua)
Potala Palace in Lhasa,
capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, the residence of Dalai Lamas since the
seventh century, is being whitewashed for God-Descending Day on November 20.
Wangduo, deputy section chief of Potala Palace Administration, said the
whitewashing, which began on October 29 - the fourth day of the ninth month on
the traditional Tibetan calendar - was necessary because the outer walls of the
palace became corroded during the rainy season this year.
"Though whitewashing is an annual event, the actual day to begin whitewashing
each year is carefully chosen according to the traditional Tibetan calendar,"
said Wangduo.
According to Wangduo, the famous Red Palace, which contains the tomb stupas
of generations of Dalai Lamas and various prayer halls, is painted with red soil
and other red mineral-bearing materials, but the paint for the white walls is
made of a kind of locally produced mineral mixed with milk, rock candy and white
sugar.
Wangduo said that milk, rock candy and white sugar could help enhance the
glutinous feature of the paint, while helping remove the unpleasant smell.
More than 100 people, who are all devout religious believers, are hired to do
the whitewashing which is expected to be finished in about 20 days.
Tradition dictates that other lamaseries and civilian houses in Lhasa can be
whitewashed only after Potala is whitewashed. The tradition is still strictly
observed.
The Potala Palace was first built under the rein of Tibetan King Songtsa
Gambo in the seventh century, during the Tang Dynasty
(618-907).
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