The temple was founded in 640 AD but I doubt anything remains from that period. Buddhism has faced many crises in Tibet over the centuries but none more serious than in the late 1960s when religious practices were completely banned and bands of out-of-control Chinese Red Guards destroyed temples and other religious structures and persecuted monks and nuns. One story is that the Red Guards used the Jokhang Temple as a pig sty during this period, then destroyed everything they could before leaving.
Fortunately, the temple has been rebuilt, and monks and nuns are once more practicing their religion. For a visitor it is a truly fascinating place. From dawn to dusk hundreds of pilgrims walk clockwise around the building along the alleys of the Barkhor. Inside the temple there is also a circular path crowded with worshippers all reciting prayers and mantras and prostrating themselves. The atmosphere is electric and very moving.
The main shrines were much quieter. In fact when I was there only foreigners who had paid the Y15 entrance fee were allowed into the main rooms of the temple. The locals who were there to pray and make offerings to the deities were crowding around the main entrance unable to gain entry. Very strange!
After looking around inside, we walked to the roof and enjoyed spectacular views over the city through gold covered spires. This was magical. I could have spent hours just wandering around.