In Tibetan language 'Tholing' means "hovering in the sky forever" and is reflected by the location of the monastery at an elevation of 12,400 feet (3,800 m).

Only two monks, Richen Zangpo and Lekpai Sherap, survived the severe climatic conditions, snake bites and diseases, and were able to return to Tibet.

Later, Atiśa's disciple was responsible for establishing the Kagyu sect with emphasis on physical and mental meditation techniques.

[3] Tholing became a portal to Tibet for Indian scholars to visit and spread religious-cultural ideas of Buddhism.

[2] The influence of the Guge Kingdom, and the monastic center of Tholing came to be known in India from Kashmir to Assam.

However, it still retains many images and scores of well-preserved murals which are made in the west Tibetan style.

[4] In a recent report presented at the Seminar held in Vienna, from 6–8 April 2011, on the subject of "Art and History of the Cultural History of Western Tibet 8thto 15th century and Cultural Preservation", it is recorded that the Inner Asian Art Style has been identified in the paintings discovered from the cave temples in Zanda of Nagarri.

[9] In the Lotsava Lhakhang in Riba, in Ngari, field research has revealed a painting of eight monks including Rinchen Zangpo of the group of monks sent to Kashmir by Yeshe O, to bring texts of scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism from there to West Tibet.

There are portrait paintings of Tsong Khappa, Sakya Panchen and many Buddhist monks dated to 15th and 16th centuries.

Deities deified in the walls of the hall, in a seated posture, are peaceful in appearance, and are clothed with textiles and jewelry.

The paintings on the walls are considered to be “superb mural art.”[3][7] They are traced to the 15th and 16th centuries, and are a fusion of styles from Tibet, Kashmir and Newari art of Nepal Himalayas.

Kashmiri art is seen here, as are the Dipankar, Sakyamuni and Maitreya, the Buddha images of the past, present and future.

[7] The Lhakhang Karpo (White Chapel) has a high ceiling with thin wooden pillars made of Deodar wood and is painted red.