Tashi Yangtse

Chorten Kora was constructed in the mid-18th century, around the 1740s, under the guidance of Lama Ngawang Loday, the third abbot of Rigsum Goenpa. The construction spanned roughly twelve years and was formally consecrated by Je Yonten Thaye, the 13th Je Khenpo (chief abbot) of Bhutan. 

The stupa was built both to honor Lama Ngawang Loday’s late uncle, Lam Jangchub Gyeltshen, and to pacify a malevolent spirit thought to haunt the valley. Local tradition recalls that the area was once called Dhuerong or Duerong, meaning “valley of demons,” due to the presence of these spirits. 

Its design draws inspiration from Nepal’s renowned Boudhanath Stupa (Jarung Khashor). Lama Ngawang is said to have crafted a model of the stupa from a radish, which he brought back to Bhutan as a guide. However, the radish reportedly shrank during the journey, causing slight alterations in the final construction. 

A notable feature of Chorten Kora is its pinnacle, or sertog. Originally carved from a large stone, the sixth Rigsum Goenpa Lama, Shacha Gyalpo, intended to replace it with a gilded cap. Legend says the stone descended on its own while he prayed, believed to have been moved by dakinis. The original stone still stands beside the stupa, and devotees circumambulate it as many times as the main stupa to gain additional merit. 

Legends and Spiritual Meaning

One of Chorten Kora’s most famous legends involves a young girl, thought to be a dakini, who offered herself to be interred within the stupa. She is believed to have come from the Dakpa (Dhagpa) community of Tawang in present-day Arunachal Pradesh, India. This story has become a symbol of shared devotion, strengthening cultural and spiritual ties between Bhutanese and Dakpa pilgrims. 

Festivals and Pilgrimage

Chorten Kora hosts two major annual pilgrimages (kora, meaning circumambulation):

Dakpa Kora on the 15th day of the first lunar month, attracting Dakpa pilgrims from Tawang.

Drukpa Kora (Namgang Kora) on the 30th day of the same month, when Bhutanese pilgrims gather.

During these events, devotees walk around the stupa, and large thondrols (religious scrolls) are displayed, bringing blessings and spiritual merit. Over time, these pilgrimages have evolved into festive gatherings, featuring local vendors, food stalls, and entertainment alongside religious rituals.

Significance and Why People Visit

Spiritual Importance: Chorten Kora is considered a wish-fulfilling stupa. Circumambulating it is believed to cleanse the mind and accumulate merit.

Cultural Bridge: Its connection to the Dakpa community highlights its role in fostering cross-border cultural and spiritual ties.

Architectural Interest: Inspired by Boudhanath and adapted from a radish model, its unique structure makes it visually and architecturally striking.

Legends and Mystique: Stories of demon subjugation, the self-sacrificing dakini, and the miraculous stone pinnacle add a mystical aura.

Festive Experience: Visiting during the kora festivals allows travelers to experience a vibrant blend of devotion, culture, and community celebrations.

The Institute of Zorig Chusum in Trashiyangtse, officially known as CZC-Trashi Yangtse, is a vocational college dedicated to Bhutan’s traditional arts and crafts. “Zorig Chusum” means the Thirteen Arts and Crafts — a core part of Bhutanese cultural heritage. At this institute, students learn a variety of traditional crafts, including painting (Lhadri), sculpture (Jimzo), wood‑turning, embroidery, and gold & silver smithing, among others. 

History

The school began on 2 June 1997, when it was founded under the name Rigney Pelkhang with just one principal, two teachers, and 21 students. In 2017, it was upgraded to the “College of Rigney” and a year later (2018) renamed to College of Zorig Chusum. Through these developments, it started offering formal diploma courses in disciplines like sculpture, painting, and carpentry. 

The founding vision came in part from a royal initiative: according to research, the institute was established by Royal Command of the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, aiming to preserve Bhutan’s traditional crafts for younger generations amid rapid modernization. 

Significance

Cultural Preservation: The institute plays a vital role in safeguarding Bhutan’s intangible heritage. By teaching the 13 traditional art forms, it ensures that age-old artistic techniques are not lost. 

Economic Opportunity: Graduates from the college often become skilled artisans, entrepreneurs, or craftsmen, contributing to the local and national economy.

Specialized Craft Training: One especially important craft taught here is wood-turning, a skill for which the Trashiyangtse region is well known. 

Education & Skill Development: The institute offers competency-based training (BQF Levels 2, 3, and diplomas), enabling students with different educational backgrounds (including school dropouts) to gain professional and artistic training. CZC Trashiyangtse

Cultural Continuity: By connecting traditional crafts to modern livelihoods, the institute helps keep Bhutanese artistic traditions relevant today. 

Why People Visit

Cultural Experience: Tourists and travelers can visit the institute to watch students at work — painting, carving, sculpting, and crafting in traditional styles. 

Art Showroom: There is often a display or showroom of finished works, allowing visitors to appreciate — and sometimes purchase — finely crafted traditional Bhutanese art. 

Educational Insight: The institute offers a window into how Bhutan is preserving its cultural identity in the modern world, making it a compelling stop for those interested in craft, heritage, and cultural sustainability.

Strategic Location: It is located about 2 km above Chorten Kora, making it easy to include in a cultural tour of Trashiyangtse.