Images of Kham

GUARDIAN KING OF THE NORTH
The Lokapalas, in Tibetan Chog Kyong, are the guardian kings of the four directions of the world. They establish order and security on a worldly level, and are ordinarily painted on the front of a monastery, flanking the main doorway. They wear armor and sit at ease. Shown here is the guardian king of the northern quarter, Vaishravana, or Namthose in Tibetan. He holds a mongoose spewing jewels.