Palcho Monastery Kumbum Stupa Usnisa Sitatapatra Shrine: Usnisa Sitatapatra

CHINA, Tibet, Gyantse

Located in Palcho Monastery, Usnisa Sitatapatra is another aspect of Tara whose main attribute is the all-protective white umbrella of uncontaminated loving-compassion. The figure is golden in color and has three faces and six arms. She looks out kindly with long eyes and brows, and the topknot is piled behind her multi-leaf crown. The figure is draped with a red-green shawl and wears a pleated skirt, both of which are decorated with flowery designs. Usnisa Sitatapatra’s main right hand clasps the emblematic white umbrella while the other hands on the same side hold a trident and an arrow. One of the hands on the left holds a bow while another is held in a mudra, and the lowest hand rests on her lap. The body is outlined by an aureole of silver flame tongues. Two pairs of smaller attendants with hair dressed in similar fashion and topped with a jewel stand on either side beneath the arms of the peacock-feather throne.