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The Jokhang Temple is the spiritual heart of Tibet and the holiest destination for Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. Founded in 647 CE by King Songtsen Gampo, it houses the Jowo Rinpoche, a life-size statue of Shakyamuni Buddha at age twelve, widely regarded as the most sacred object in Tibetan Buddhism. The temple was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000 as part of the Potala Palace extension.
Legend holds that King Songtsen Gampo built the temple to house sacred Buddha images brought by his Nepali and Chinese wives. The structure blends Indian vihara, Tibetan, and Nepalese architectural styles and has been rebuilt and expanded many times over 1,400 years.