In Tibet, portable votive boxes of this type are known as ga'u. They are containers, made in repoussé style, with a window in the front in which a religious image is kept. The objects inside can include a small statue of Buddha, holy texts, consecrated substances, medicines, auspicious images and other sacred material. The front of the box typically would have an ornate design such as the 'Eight Auspicious Symbols' of Buddhism and other motifs. Votive boxes of this type are placed in altars at home but mostly they are used as a talisman for protection when travelling.
