Also known as Dakpa Kora, the Chorten Kora festival is held in a lesser known destination of Bhutan, Trashiyangtse. It is one of the oldest religious festivals which takes place annually at Chorten Kora, an important stupa next to next to the Kulong Chu River in the region. The festival is dedicated to a young lady from Tawang who agreed to be buried inside the Chorten alive. During this festival the Chorten Kora is seen to remain crowded by the pilgrims. For this reason, a ritual known as Dakpa Kora is organized every year where pilgrims from Arunachal Pradesh known as the Dakpas head to Chorten Kora to circumambulate. Right after the Dakpas, Bhutanese pilgrims start with their circumambulation.
Chorten Kora being the star attraction is a symbol of peace and harmony. It was built by Lama Ngawang Loday in the year 1740 in the memory of his late uncle, Jungshu Pesan. Even though the stupa is a replica of Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal, it is considered to be amongst the most imperative Buddhist structures and is praised by the Bhutanese with great excitement. Once done with celebrating the festival, tourists can indulge in exploring the beauty of Trashiyangtse. Even though the place is small but it is pretty with a gushing river flowing through it. A drive to Trashiyangtse is sure to grab one’s attention as it offers a number of places to visit which are truly a treat to the eyes. Not only this, but the region is the centre of papermaking and specialises in making wooden cups and bowls.
