A GROUP of exiled Tibetan monks will create an intricate mandala during a five-day residence at a Dorset museum.

The Tashi Lhunpo Monks are returning to the Museum of East Dorset, in Wimborne High Street, as part of their 50th Anniversary Tour.

Taking place over the Wimborne Folk Festival period, the monks will construct an intricate sand mandala, exemplifying the Tantric tradition of meditation each day, from Wednesday, June 7, to Sunday, June 11.

“These two-dimensional representations of a Buddha’s palace are made out of millions of grains of coloured sand, painstakingly put into place over a period of five days,” a spokesperson said.

“Through this mandala exhibition, the highly skilled monks offer a unique opportunity to experience this ephemeral form of art, it’s accompanying meditation and its ritual destruction on the fifth day to demonstrate the impermanence of all things.”

The opening dedication prayers will take place at 11am on June 7, with a destruction ceremony set to take place at noon on Sunday, June 11.

Entry is free through the tea room, next to Wimborne Library.

The museum, garden and tea room will be open from 10am to 4.30pm over the Folk Festival weekend.

For details of all upcoming workshops and events at the museum, visit www.museumofeastdorset.co.uk.