Toshang Murals

CHINA, Tibet, Ngari

These murals are located in the ruins near Toshang village in Zanda, Ngari, about 25 km southeast of the ruins of the Guge Kingdom. The remains of small houses are scattered around the south and west sides of the waist of a mountain, while at the foot of the south slope there is a ruined temple consisting of an assembly hall and a stupa. The stupa is a square brick structure with murals on its four walls. Only the perimeter wall of the assembly hall survives; it is decorated with images of a Buddha, a Bodhisattva, Cakrasamvara, and a six-armed Dharma protector. Thought to have been painted in the 15th century, the murals have faded due to weathering. The Buddha on the wall of the assembly hall has a tall, circular usnisa and fine, arched eyebrows. A Bodhisattva wearing a golden headdress stands on the right, facing towards the Buddha and gazing downwards.