The Senge Lhakhang temple is part of the site but, nontheless, situated outside the main complex of buildings, approximately 200 meters in the south-west on a narrow precipice.
The temple itself has two rooms, the entrance to the temple is located in the south-east.
The first and central room contains the so-called “Lion-altar” after which the temple was named. Annexed to the central room is a smaller room in which stand three statues of tutelary deities.
The temple has no vestibule but various beam seats in the facade indicate that originally there had been a frame of joists, which functioned as the structure for a hall or roofed vestibule, which was removed at a later moment in history.
In terms of design and construction the temple is built in a relatively simple way.
Only one main beam and two supporting pillars, which are placed parallel to the wall behind the altar, form - in combination with the external walls and one internal wall – the basis for the static structure of the central room. In the smaller room there are two beams oriented in the same direction, which - because of the short span length – only rest on one pillar placed in their middle.

Text: Holger Neuwirth
Fotos: Holger Neuwirth / Christian Luczanits