Cave 61, Mogao Grottoes, Five Dynasties (906-960 A.D.)

Also known as the Wenshu (Manjusri) Hall. It was constructed during the period from 947 to 951 of the Five Dynasties under the patronage of local governor Cao Yuanzhong. The ceiling of this cave is of an inverted-dipper type with a shallow shrine at each of its four corners painted with four heavenly kings, which is a characteristic of the caves excavated during the Five Dynasties. The east wall and the lower eastern sides of the south and north walls are painted with portraits of Uighur princess, Khotan princess, female donors of the Cao family. In the center of the main hall is a horse-hoof shaped altar with a rear screen. The most representative wall painting of this cave is the Mountain Wutai Map in a large canvas at the west wall, which is 13m long and 3.6m wide. It is the largest painting of landscape and human figures among the Dunhuang wall paintings, and the largest panoramic historical map, depicting in detail the landforms and social activities ranging from Zhengding, Hebei Province in the east to Taiyuan, Shanxi Province in the west. Some 170 odd towns, temples, towers, pavilions, Buddhist pagodas, thatch cottages, and bridges painted in this map provide precious historical material of ancient architecture.

Publishes at : 07-08-15 22:26

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