Chorten Kora is a significant stupa located near the Kulong Chhu river in Trashi Yangtse, modeled after the Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. Built in 1740 by Lama Ngawang Loday, it is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in eastern Bhutan. The stupa is particularly revered for its association with Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) and the legend of a young Dakini (divine feminine spirit) who is said to have been sealed inside to subdue evil.

The annual Chorten Kora festival, held in March/April, draws thousands of pilgrims from Bhutan and neighboring Arunachal Pradesh in India. This vibrant festival is known for its unique rituals, including the “Kora” (circumambulation) and the “Dakpa Kora” (circumambulation by people from Arunachal Pradesh). Visiting Chorten Kora provides a profound insight into Bhutanese religious practices and its cultural connections with neighboring regions.