History of Chorten Kora
Lama Ngawang Loday built Chorten Kora in 1740 AD in memory of his late uncle, Jungshu Pesan, and also to subdue a demon that lived where the Chorten stands now. It is believed to have taken 12 years to construct the chorten that was then consecrated by the 13th chief Abbot of Bhutan Je Sherub Wangchuk.
Relationship to Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal
Chorten Kora is believed to be a replica of the Boudhanath stupa in Nepal. Though not as large as Boudhanath, the temple is considered one of the most important historical Buddhist structures with an equally rich history behind its origins. The founder of the Temple, Lama Ngawang Loday, and his friend Lama Zangpo from Tawang, personally visited the temple in Nepal, and they brought back the model of the Boudhanath stupa carved on a radish.
Lama Zangpo constructed a chorten at Pangchanang valley in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh in India, which is known as Gorzam chorten today. Lama Ngawang Loday constructed the chorten in Trashiyangtse valley which was called Duerong chorten. It was built so that pilgrims could visit the temple in Trashiyangtse instead of making a trip to Nepal. It is believed that the stupa is not a replica of the Boudhanath stupa as the radish shrunk during the trip and distorted the carving a bit.
Dakpa Kora and Drukpa Kora rituals at Chorten Kora
Another legend states that a young girl from Tawang believed to have been a Khando (Dakini) agreed to be buried alive inside the Chorten. For this reason, a ritual known as Dakpa Kora has organized every year and hundreds of people from Arunachal Pradesh known as the Dakpas make it to Chorten Kora to circumambulate and partake in the ritual festivities.
Dakpa Kora is held on the 15th day of the 3rd month according to the Bhutanese calendar and Drukpa Kora (circumambulation by the Bhutanese) is held on the 30th day of the same month every year. As a bonus, you could also play the “game of love”, which usually ends in marriage!
