Shalkhar is a few kilometers northwest of Chango in upper Kinnaur. Its monastery, called lHa-brang, is connected by the local tradition with the famous translator Rinchen Zangpo (Rin-chen-bzang-po).
One temple of Shalkhar called Samdrub Chöling (bSam-grub-chos-gling) was destroyed in the earthquake of 1975 and only a few pieces of sculpture and some manuscripts remind one today of this once important centre of Buddhism at the time of the early West Tibetan Kings. A carved wooden capital, miraculously well preserved and still in use today, is probably the earliest remaining element of this temple and may be attributed to the 11th century. This gallery complements the publication:
- "Early Buddhist Wood Carvings from Himachal Pradesh." Orientations 27 (6) 1996: p. 67-75.
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The new temple of Shalkhar containing the reused wooden capital.
Shalkhar CL94 125,14.jpg
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The reused old wooden capital in the veranda of the new temple of Shalkhar.
Shalkhar CL94 125,12.jpg
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Lion on an elephant carved on the side of the old wooden capital of Shalkhar.
Shalkhar CL94 124,23.jpg
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Lion on an elephant carved on the side of the old wooden capital of Shalkhar.
Shalkhar CL94 124,24.jpg
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Lion carved on the side of the old wooden capital of Shalkhar.
Shalkhar CL94 125,01.jpg
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Elephant carved on the side of the old wooden capital of Shalkhar.
Shalkhar CL94 125,03.jpg
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Lion on an elephant carved on the side of the old wooden capital of Shalkhar.
Shalkhar CL94 124,27.jpg
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Elephant carved on the side of the old wooden capital of Shalkhar.
Shalkhar CL94 125,11.jpg
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