The Religious Wing

At ground level, this huge building stabled the ponies which carried goods through the mountain passes to and from Tibet; throughout history the Sherpas have been a trading people. Here also fodder was stored to see the ponies through the harsh winter months.

Above, where the warmth from the stabled animals could rise and keep them warm, the family sat and chanted at prayer - sometimes all day long. A crimson and gold Prayer Wall extends the length of the building, leading to a giant rotating Prayer Wheel; each time it is turned, a prayer is believed to ascend to heaven.

Through a latticework partition lies the main altar, surrounded by statues of the Buddha, goddesses, sages and disciples. Inside the altar are cubicles to store 108 holy books, and the walls around are hung with painted mandalas, Buddhist emblems of cosmic harmony.

Here the family prayed and conducted purification ceremonies, especially on anniversaries of family deaths and before weddings. Older family members in particular would spend many hours here.