Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t22.4

v1.c7.s3.t22.4

**Historical evolutions Potala** The variant of Sanskrit pronunciation of Potalaka means Chizhou Mountain, the rite or land for Avalokiteśvara. Tibetan Buddhists believe that Red Mountain in Lhasa is the second land of Avalokiteśvara. In 7th century CE, the 33rd king of Tubo Srongtsen Gampo started the construction of the palace on Red Mountain and named it the Potala Palace. The building at that time was of a huge scale with three layers of walls outside, 999 rooms inside and a chapel on the top floor with 1,000 rooms. Onto the crest a spike was penetrated and on it hanged a flag. Surrounded the palace were four gates and arch. The peripheral walls cover the whole Red Mountain, Yaowang Mountain and Pamari Mountain. The king used to dwell on Red Mountain while the queen on Yaowang Mountain. There was a bridge of silver and copper built between the two mountains for walking.