Ramoche Temple

Ramoche Temple is in the city of Lhasa, to the north of Barkor Street. It is easy to visit on foot from anywhere in the old town. Romoche is open till 5:00 pm, and the admission fee of 30 RMB.

History Of Ramoche Temple

The Ramoche Temple is one of the oldest religious buildings in Lhasa. The temple was first built by the 33rd king Songtsen Gampo’s Chinese princess, in the seventh century. 

The Ramoche temple was built to house the statue of Jowo Shakyamuni brought to Tibet by the king’s Chinese princess. When the statue was moved to the Jokhang temple after king Songtsen Gampo’s death, it was replaced by the image of Akshobhya Vajra brought as part of the dowry of Brikuti Devi, the king’s Nepalese wife.

Initially, the Jokhang temple was built in Chinese style but rebuilt in the Tibetan fashion after repeated damage by fire. The Jokhang temple always overshadowed the Ramoche Temple, and many people miss the temple. 

Ramoche Temple Travel Guide

Upon entering the Ramoche Temple, you pass along a hallway that takes you past a protector chapel on the left and a wall painting of Dorjee Yudron ma, the special protectress of the upper tantric college on the right. 

The assembly hall of the Ramoche temple is not so big but decorated with beautiful brocade and colourful murals around. 

The main shrine is to the rear of the temple. After passing the four guardian kings, you ascend a few steps of the precious image of Akshobhya Vajra, a representation of Buddha Shakyamuni at the age of eight brought to Tibet by the king’s Nepalese wife. Around him stand the Eight Great Bodhisattvas, and two wrathful protectors guard the doorway. 

There is an internal circumambulation path around the main shrines.