Key Information

Photographer

Hugh E. Richardson

Collection

Hugh Richardson

Date of Photo

1936-50

Region

Lhasa

Accession number

BMR.6.8.181

Image Dimensions

60 x 90 mm

The great effigy of Penden Lhamo in procession halting at the Shar Kyareng prayer mast at the south east corner of the Barkhor Phalden Lhamo. Crowds of onlookers surround the effigy.

Further Information

Photographic Process

Transparency Colour

Expedition

Hugh E. Richardson

Other Information

Technical Information - The camera used to take this collection of colour slides (Dufay colour) were a Zeiss Super Ikonta and a Reflex Korelle. [KC 09/10/2006]

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - Typewritten handlist entitled 'Hugh Richardson Collection, The British Museum. Photographs taken between 1936-50. Cameras: Zeiss Super Ikonta, Reflex Korelle. 300 colour slides (Dufay colour); copies made Jan. 1995.
[no.] 181. Procession of Penden Lhamo, Chief Protector of the Faith, on the Barkor in Lhasa, looking east. The ceremony takes place on the 14th and 15th days of the tenth lunar month.' [KC 10/10/2006]

Other Information - Background: Richardson describes this cermony in Ceremonies of the Lhasa Year , 2003, London: Serindia Publications, pp. 110-111. "The Mountain Visit of the Glorious Goddess (dpal lha'i ri dra). The following morning [the 15th of the 10th Tibetan month] the image [of Penden Lhamo, the Chief Protector of the Faith] on a wooden carrying frame is borne through the main door of the Tsuklakhang on the shoulders of a stalwart monk of Meru who has spent the past week in solitary meditation and prayer in preparation for his ordeal. A great crowd of officials,people of Lhasa, Bhutanese and Nepalese is waiting to shower scarves om it. Its black and hideous face with glaring eyes and a savage grin is surmounted by a large gold headdress like that of the Nechung Oracle but with scarlet plumes. On its chest is a huge silver breast-plate. ...". [KC 20/10/2006]

For Citation use:
The Tibet Album. "Effigy of Penden Lhamo during ceremony " 05 Dec. 2006. The British Museum. <http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/photo_BMR.6.8.181.html>.

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