Thangka

Thangka is a painting on silk with embroidery, can be written as "Tangka", "Thanka" or "Tanka". A Thangka is a complicated, composite three-dimensional object consisting of a picture panel which is painted or embroidered, a textile mounting; and one or more of the following:a silk cover, leather corners, wooden dowels at the top and bottom and metal or wooden decorative knobs on the bottom dowel. It depicts a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala of some sort. Thangkas are intended to serve as a record of, and guide for contemplative experience.

To Buddhists these Tibetan religious paintings offer a beautiful manifestation of the divine, being both visually and mentally stimulating.

19th Century Mongolian distemper painting with highlights of gold, depicting Shakyamuni flanked by Avalokitevara and Manjushri The form of Manjushri depicted here, is not wielding the characteristic flaming sword, but there are many forms of the eight great bodhisattvas, some are based on the Indian tradition, and other from visions of historical masters

The size of Thangka varies a lot based on it is painted on cotton or silk. The most common is loosely woven cotton produced in widths from 40 to 58 centimeters (16 - 23 inches). While some variations do exist, Thangkas wider than 45 centimeters (17 or 18 inches) frequently have seams in the support. The paint consists of pigments in a water soluble medium. Both mineral and organic pigments are used, tempered with an herb and glue solution. Thangka is closely related to the Shoton festival, every year in Drepung Monastery, hundreds of Lamas will take the huge Thangka of Buddha (3 tons weight) out and unfold it on Drepung hill to enjoy sunshine on that day, and they call it as Shaifo festival. If you visit Tibet during Shoton festival, you should not miss the Buddha Thangka in no way, and also take some back to give your friends as presents, and it will bring you and your friends good luck. 

Thangka is a Nepalese art form exported to Tibet after Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal, daughter of King Lichchavi, married Sron Tsan Gampo, the ruler of Tibet imported the images of Aryawalokirteshwar and other Nepalese deities to Tibet.