Commemoration Thangka for Bhimaratha Rite

The central white stupa is set against a mountain landscape filled with small shrines and numerous multi-armed deities in various colors, many enveloped in orange flames. At the base, a group of laypeople in traditional Tibetan dress participate in a ritual, accompanied by a lama seated in a chariot. The borders of the thangka are a deep blue featuring flying dragons and auspicious symbols, while a prominent Garuda is painted in a rectangular panel at the bottom center. The composition follows a hierarchical structure with rows of smaller seated figures arranged in the upper registers against a deep blue sky.

The Bhimaratha (or Bhimarathashanti) is a ritual of longevity, traditionally performed in the Himalayan region when an individual reaches the age of 77 years, 7 months, and 7 days. It is deeply rooted in Vajrayana Buddhism and the pursuit of long life to facilitate continued spiritual practice and the accumulation of merit.