Showing posts with label Taksang Repa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Taksang Repa. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Perviously unrecorded painting of Gyalpo Sengge Namgyal ?

There are two wall paintings at Kharnak Gompa in Dat, Kharnak, that appear to depict Lama Taksang Repa. The first painting (Pics No. 1) is located on the ground floor of the gompa, positioned directly behind the statue of the main deity. Due to the narrow space between the painting and the statue, I was only able to capture a partially zoomed-out image.

The second painting (Pic No. 2) is on the first floor of the gompa, to the right of the Guru Rinpoche statue. An old wooden frame, added later to hold religious scriptures, conceals much of the left side of this important painting, making it difficult to view fully. Upon closer examination through a very narrow gap between the frame and the wall, one can observe what appears to be a figure that is completely hidden from public view (Pic 3). 

Upon request, Ven. Dorjey (Pic 4), the caretaker Lama of Kharnak Gompa, agreed to remove some blocks of the scriptures to allow the camera to be placed inside the wooden frame from where the picture has a clear visibility. The figure appears distinctly royal, and given the limited information available, it is proposed that this may be a depiction of King Sengge Namgyal. Expert insights for further analysis would be appreciated.


The wooden frame on the left, used for holding religious manuscripts, conceals 25% of the original painting.

Proposed painting of Sengge Namgyal

Ven . Lama Dorjey

Dat Gompa, Kharnak

Gyalpo Sengge Namgyal,Gyamo Skalzang Dolma and Lama Taksang Repa.

Three significant images are found at Chemrey Gompa, Shey Palace, and Hemis Gompa. The image at Chemrey Gompa is the most widely recognized depiction of King Sengge Namgyal. However, there is limited information available regarding the images at Shey and Hemis. Therefore, they are proposed only as possible representations of King Sengge Namgyal and his wife, Skalzang Dolma. Experts are invited to provide further insights into these lesser-known depictions.

Portuguese missionary António de Andrade, who traveled through Ladakh around 1624, met Sengge Namgyal in Leh and described him as a tall, dark man wearing a skull mala around his neck, symbolizing the impermanence of life.

Chemrey Gompa 

Chemrey Gompa 


Shey Palace

Shey Palace
Hemis Gompa.

Hemis Gompa.