The Upper Temple of Dangkhar Monastery Iconographical Capharnaüm or Political Manœuvre? 1

2The ancient monastic complex and the early village of Dangkhar were established along the edges of a steep rock cliff made of bimrock materials. Erosion, slope instability, and seismic activity have had a serious impact on the morphology of the whole site. 3 Late 19 th century etchings and photographs indicate the locations of prior structures and buildings, which have since then collapsed or simply vanished. This research focuses on a small religious edifice overlooking the main monastic complex and located below kharto (Tib. mkhar stod), the old village of Dangkhar. It addresses the multifaceted aspects of its iconographical programme and attempts to establish the religious and political context of its construction and patronage. The thematic composition of the wall-paintings and the narratives at work would seem to coincide with the emergence of Dangkhar as a political centre ð ð ð ð ð ð ð ð