The square in front of the Jokhang Temple, photo from China Tibet Online, Wang Xinxiu.
People are holding incense-burning ritual, photo from China Tibet Online, Wang Xinxiu.
October 29 marks the traditional Festival of Descent of the Buddha from Heaven on September 22nd on Tibetan Calendar.
The Festival of Descent of the Buddha from Heaven is called "Lha-bab-dus-chen" in Tibetan language. On Tibetan calendar, it was the day when Shakyamuni, founder of Buddhism returned to the human world. Later on, people held Buddhist activities on this day each year, celebrating Buddha's return to the human world and promoting Buddhism.
According to the local custom, people paint the outside walls of their own houses or the temples on this special day to greet the Buddha's return. This year, the painting of the outside walls of the Polata Palace was finished. At the foot of the White Pagoda, people were pouring milk into white ash buckets helped by construction workers.
Among Tibetan religious festivals, there are four festivals to commemorate Shakyamuni, including the Festival of the Great Miracle , Festival of Descent of the Buddha from Heaven on September 22 of Tibetan calendar, etc. Since the democratic reform in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), the freedom of religious belief and religious activities have been well protected.
