The Small Temple of Cele

　　In March 2000, a shepherd boy discovered the ruins of the Small Temple in Damagou Township, Cele County. The temple covers an area of only 4 square meters, making it the smallest Buddhist temple discovered in the world to date. The entrance faces south, and inside, on a north-facing lotus pedestal, sits a Buddha statue. The head and hands of the Buddha are missing, but the walls are adorned with exquisite murals. Based on the craftsmanship of the statue, it is believed to be a relic from the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, dating back 1,500–1,800 years. Surrounding this small temple is a vast complex of other temples. Among the artifacts unearthed here was a thousand-armed Guanyin holding a ritual implement adorned with a mouse design—the first such evidence in the world that confirms the legend of “the worship of the Rat King by the people.” Its excavation has been listed by the archaeological community as one of China’s seven major archaeological discoveries in 2005. Nearby, a second small temple (No. 2) has also been discovered, yielding many beautifully preserved murals and Buddha heads. These finds corroborate the historical accounts of the ancient Kingdom of Khotan as recorded in Xuanzang’s "Great Tang Records of the Western Regions." Xinjiang Television produced a special feature titled “Cele Scenery,” and China Central Television also highlighted the Small Temple in its documentary “New Silk Road.” The site holds significant archaeological and academic value and is currently under consideration for designation as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, with great potential for further development.