19/02/2018 04:42
Beijing, 19 feb (EFE).- Jokhang Temple, located in the center of Lhasa and considered one of the most sacred in Tibetan Buddhism, has resumed its usual activity after the fire suffered on Saturday, that caused no victims, The official Chinese agency Xinhua reported today.
Barkhor Street, that surrounds the site and is visited every day by hundreds of pilgrims, was reopened on Sunday, according to state media, which indicated that hardly any remains of the fire could be seen, except for marks left by water in the main hall of the temple.
A photo of the fire taken by a witness shows the main roof of the Jokhang engulfed in flames, Therefore, there is fear that the damage is more serious than what has been revealed through the scarce information from the communist regime's media..
Information about Tibet, region whose access is practically prohibited to the foreign press, is heavily censored, and the origin of the fire has not yet been determined..
The temple has closed its doors from today, Monday until Thursday. 22 February, something that according to those responsible was already planned before the incident and is due to the festivities for the Tibetan New Year.
Jokhang Temple, more than 1.300 years of history and where a community of monks lives, It is one of the most revered in Tibetan Buddhism and receives thousands of pilgrims every day..
Según Xinhua, Many Tibetan pilgrims cried with relief upon learning that the temple's most precious image, one that portrays Sakyamuni Buddha when he was 12 years, had not been damaged by the fire, which was declared around 18:40 Saturday local time (10:40 GMT) and was turned off shortly after. EFE
