[00:01.45]Here animal skulls are decorated,and rocks are carved with sacred mantras,
[00:07.37]groups of syllables that are considered to have spiritual power.
[00:15.22]The reciting of the mantras is believed to create a magical sound
[00:18.80]that reverberates through the universe.
[00:24.68]The landscape is decorated with multi-coloured flags which
[00:27.85]represent the five elements - fire, wood, earth, water and iron.
[00:36.25]The flags are printed with prayers to purify the air and pacify the gods,
[00:41.48]and the wind blows the prayers to heaven.
[00:50.75]The poles on which the prayer flags are mounted are regularly replenished with fresh flags.
[00:56.33]The old flags are treasured. Those nearest the top of the pole
[01:00.35]are the most auspicious,
[01:03.55]so competition for these can get fierce.