In the 18th century, a powerful and illusive demoness is believed to have ravaged the travelers of Trashiyangtsi, few even losing their lives. Traveling through the forest by the Kholong Chu has to be done only during daylight and in huge groups. Haunted by the demoness for years, people approached Lam Ngawang Lodroe, who was then at retreat at Rigsum Goenpa, a sacred place in the mountain. Lam was known for his realization and at performing wrathful ritual practices.
The Lam in consultation with his teacher sought divine intervention. The intervention prophesied that the demoness can be subdued by building a stupa similar to that of Boudha Chorten in Nepal and its principle relic must be enshrined a sixteen year old girl with signs of divinity to appease the demoness. This led to a sixteen year’s old princess, Ani Chorten Zangmo, from Arunachal Pradesh, a daughter of a local chieftain, to be sought and enshrined ceremoniously.
The Chorten was constructed in 1740 by Lam Ngawang and the local People. The Lam is said to have went to Nepal and brought a model of Bodhnath chorten carved on a radish. The radish had shriveled during the return days of Lam’s journey and was distorted in shape. The Chorten Kora is said to be similar to Boudha Chorten with some features different in its physical structure. However, it is said that, visiting Chorten Kora has same spiritual significance to visiting Boudha Chorten.
A natural stone stupa, the Serto, which was used as the pinnacle of the chorten is later replaced by traditional spire. The stone rested outside the main gate to the Chorten reveals the artisan skill of the people and is considered sacred.
During the first month of the lunar calendar, there is an auspicious circumambulation festival held through the night in memory of Ani Chorten Zangmo, the princess. It is celebrated on two separate days, the 15th and 30th days of the lunar month.The first day is spiritually referred as Dakpa Kora. The people from the Dakpa community in Arunachal Pradesh, India, make the three-day pilgrimage to celebrate the sacrifice of their princess who was enshrined in the chorten on the 15th Day of the first Lunar month. Locals believe that the Chorten appears brighter and illuminates more gloriously on this day when Dakpas arrive to offer their prayers and respects.
The Drukpa Kora is celebrated by Bhutanese on the 30th day, the day of Buddha Amitabha. It is believed that on this day, Ani Chorten Zangmo merged her mind into Dharmata after a fifteen day meditative trance in the Chorten, culminating the prophesy to subdue the malevolent spirit forever.
People from all over eastern Bhutan, including from the Merak and Sakteng attend the local fair. The two auspicious days are one of the biggest festivals of Trashiyangtsi.
On the 15th this year, Chorten Kora was a desolate place with only few elderlies offering prayers and walking round the Chorten. But the Zhung Dratshang has begun to perform rituals and prayers as usual, perhaps also to seek healing and peace from the pandemic disease. Phub
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