“Himalaya” literally means the abode of snow. Understood as a divine abode in Indic mythology and envisioned as the immortal realm of “Shangri-la” by later western interpreters, the Himalayas and the kingdoms therein abound with holy sites related to Hindu, Buddhist, and Indigenous belief systems, such as Bon. Art and architecture of the Himalayas developed to support the devotional and liturgical needs of communities among whom tantric Buddhism found ready support. The vibrant art and culture of the Trans-Himalayan region is as varied as there are mountain peaks, valleys, and glacial lakes.

Diverse artistic expressions and innovative religious iconographies across the region challenge colonial-era misconceptions of Himalayan insularity. The inspiration for spiritual transformation and devotion that flowed naturally from the mountainous environment bursts into a religious space in the form of brilliant paintings and exquisitely carved sculptures adorned with semi-precious jewels. This space of transformation was activated through the art of ritual, employing a complex system of ritual languages created to serve the needs of practitioners seeking transcendence in this life.