Thongdrel

They are the largest form of thangka(ཐང་ཀ།) paintings in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

Thongdrels typically depict a seated Guru Rinpoche surrounded by holy beings in a composition that, unlike most smaller thangkas, is in a "landscape" format, somewhat wider than it is tall.

These begin with a backing, then the image itself, made up of appliqué pieces sewn to a background.

Major Tibetan centres have thangka walls, structures built into the defensive walls or other buildings specifically designed to give a large space for the display of festival thangkas.

The mere viewing of the unfurled thongdrel is said to cleanse the viewer of negative karma.

Large thongdrel or appliqué festival thangka hung in the courtyard at Jakar Dzong in Bhutan, 2013
The thangka wall at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery , Tibet
Large thangka hung on a wall at Gyantse in Tibet in 1938