Handmade in India

RITUAL CLOTH INSTALLATIONS
Production Clusters
Ladakh
Alchi
Leh
Hemis
Products
Dhukh - canopy
Kaphen - pillar
hanging
Shambhu - pleated
door hanging
Lungsta - prayer flag
Chubar - cylindrical
hanging
Prayer flags, known locally as tarchok, form a ubiquitous part
of the Ladakhi landscape. Usually square of rectangular pieces
of cloth, they are believed to spread the praers that are printed
on them as they flutter in the wind. They are also said to
attract good luck and ward off diseases, the evil eye, demons
and evil spirits. They are also displays of one`s great gratitude
at a fulfilled wish or an unexpected beneficial occurance. The
flags are invariably one of the five basic colours - white, red,
green, yellow and blue - and are representative of the five
elements (earth, air, water, fire and ether), the five senses
(sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing), and the five wisdoms (the
wisdom of the universal law, the wisdom of the mirror, the
wisdom of equality, the wisdom of distinction and
discernment, and the wisdom of accomplishing works). The
three most prominent hangings seen in the interiors of the
monasteries are the chubar, galtszan and phen. The phen is
made of a solid shape from which four or more narrow
ribbon-like panels of silk are suspended. The galtszen is a
cylindrical hanging ornamented by valences and alternating
plain panels. The chuber, also a cylindrical hanging, is made
of narrow overlapping vertical panels, usually of brocade.
1. At this bridge across a river at Leh,
prayer flags have been tied to thank
the gods for ensuring the devotees`
safe passage.
2. Prayer flags imprinted with icons of
money, prosperity and good luck at
Kharnaling, Ladakh.
3. At the entrance to the prayer hall at
the Hemis monastery; a shambhu, a
pleated panel used over the doors
and windws of monasteries, placed
above the door.
4. The lungsta or wind horse, the
prayer flag that symbolizes will
power and luck.
5. A canopy usually hung over the
cardinal deity.
6. A pleated canopy covers the coral
and turquoise-studded prayer wheel
at the Thiksey Monastery.
7. A door curtain at the Shankar
Monastery in Leh. Door panels are
usually made of plain cloth
appliqued with inexpensive red,
blue or green gabric in geometric
forms.
8. A phen displayed against a wooden
ole in a prayer hall at Hemis.
9. A contemporary chubar.
Traditionally, the panels were
constructed as pockets for
containing sandalwood thus
allowing the fragrance to waft
through the halls with the
movement of the chubar.