Guge Protector Hall Murals

CHINA, Tibet, Ngari

The Protector Hall, or “Gonkhang” in Tibetan, is located approximately 25 m north of the White Temple. All four walls inside the cave are covered with images of Bodhisattvas, Dharma protectors, and gurus, painted around the 16th century.
The Bodhisattvas and Dharma protectors wear golden crowns and ornaments. They have different skin colors, sit or stand in different positions, and ride mounts including a goose, a cow, and a wheeled horse. In the top left corner, the elephant-headed Ganesa is shown sitting on a rat. In the bottom right corner, a robust blue Dharma protector stands upon a female figure.
The patterned strips under the Dharma protectors are decorated with the seven treasures and the eight auspicious symbols. There is also a row of black animal silhouettes: horses, mules, oxen, sheep, snakes, dogs, and a human figure are shown flying, jumping, and running against a tan background decorated with floral patterns.
There are 13 female heavenly beings making offerings painted on the east wall. These figures, each about 23 cm high, are colored in red, white, yellow, or green, have long hair, and wear tall headdresses. They have bare upper bodies and their lower bodies are wrapped in long skirts secured with colored cloth belts that hang down from their waists. Each holds a different item including silk, fruit, a copper mirror, a musical instrument, a conch shell, incense, a lamp, flowers, bells, or a string of pearls. Standing in tribhanga posture with their arms held in different poses, they appear to be dancing.