Description
Potala palace started to be built in the 17 century and became the seat of the Tibetan government till 1959 when Lhasa was occupied during a revolt that drove Dalai Lama to leave the country. Norbulingka is the summer palace, a complex of gardens and palaces, that used to house the Tibetan government during the summer months.
The White Palace, named in Tibetan Potrang Kharpo, was always used for secular purposes. Originally was used for the government seat, but later was extended to accommodate the living quarters of the Dalai Lama. It also contains the tombs of eight Dalai Lamas, the monks’ assembly hall, many shrines, and religious libraries. The White palace is separated from the Red Palace by a yellow building where large banners are hung on its wall during the New Year Festival.
The Red Palace, named Potrang Marpo, is completely devoted to religious studies and Buddhist prayer. Its construction took place in the second half of the 17th century and was completed around 1694. It was meant to be used as a funerary chorten for the 5th Dalai Lama, Lozang Gyantso, but he died before its completion. The prime minister decided to keep his death a secret until the Palace was completed. The 5th Dalai Lama died in 1682 when he was 65. His death was announced 14 years later, in 1696.
Since the rule of the 5th Dalai Lama, all Dalai Lamas lived in the Palace till 1959 when the current Dalai Lama, the 14th, left for India. During this time Potala represented the seat of the government except for the summer months when the court moved, with many festivities, to Norbulingka, the Summer Palace.
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