This is a MANI prayer wheel. It is filled with thousands of Avalokiteshvara mantras "OM MANI PADME HUM". By turning (rigorously to turn clockwise) this wheel once one earns merit equal to the recitation of the mantras filled inside this wheel. It's almost like give life to these words.
Spying the monks of Dalai Lama temple from behind the window, during the prayer time. For a nice pray, a nice fruit juice is always necessary.