Chhorten Kora

མཆོད་རྟེན་སྐོར་ར

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Religious & SpiritualChorten Kora
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
Duration15 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageChorten Kora's defining trait is
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: BTN
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Chhorten Kora in Chorten Kora

Chorten Kora is a two-week pilgrimage centered on a Bodhnath-style stupa in Trashiyangtse, built in 1740 to subdue a local spirit and honor a chief's daughter. Pilgrims walk repeated circuits around the stupa rather than watch masked dances, and the observance peaks in a second, larger gathering that draws Dakpa and Brokpa communities crossing the border from Arunachal Pradesh, India, making it one of eastern Bhutan's most cross-border religious events.

Chorten Kora stands on the bank of the Kulong Chhu river in Trashiyangtse, eastern Bhutan, a whitewashed stupa built in the style of Nepal's Bodhnath and consecrated in 1740 by Lama Ngawang Loday to subdue a local demon and console a grieving family after the death of the region's chief's daughter.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Chorten Kora's defining trait is circumambulation rather than performance: pilgrims walk the path around the stupa for hours, sometimes completing 108 circuits, believing the repetition itself carries the devotional weight that cham dances carry elsewhere in Bhutan

02

The mystery stays covered

Its two-part structure, a smaller early gathering followed by a larger one roughly two weeks later, is unusual among Bhutanese festivals and reflects how the observance accommodates both local worshippers and pilgrims traveling greater distances

03

The city starts moving

Most distinctive is the cross-border character: Dakpa and Brokpa pilgrims from Arunachal Pradesh in India cross into Trashiyangtse specifically for this stupa, making Chorten Kora one of the few Bhutanese religious gatherings with a genuinely international pilgrim base

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Circumambulation

Water and renewal

Living ritual

or kora: pilgrims walk repeated circuits around the stupa

The sacred route

Living ritual

sometimes completing 108 rounds

The local code

Living ritual

as the central devotional act

Tradition 5

Living ritual

The observance runs in two phases

Tradition 6

Living ritual

a smaller early gathering and a larger later one

Tradition 7

Living ritual

and draws cross-border pilgrims from Arunachal Pradesh in India alongside Bhutanese devotees

Tradition 8

Living ritual

with butter-lamp offerings and prayer-flag hanging around the stupa's base

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

Base the route around Chorten Kora; confirm local transport, road controls or venue access close to the day.

What to wear

Dress modestly for a pilgrimage site rather than a dzong interior: shoulders and knees covered, long trousers or a long skirt, and closed shoes comfortable for hours of walking on the...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near Chorten Kora or a practical transport base if you want a simpler arrival and return.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

BTN

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map27.61 N, 91.49 EOpen in Google Maps

Chorten Kora, Trashi Yangtse, Bhutan

Nearest airportGLU — Gelephu
TransportBase the route around Chorten Kora; confirm local transport, road controls or venue access close to the day.
Stay areaStay near Chorten Kora or a practical transport base if you want a simpler arrival and return.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Chorten Kora via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Chorten Kora, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearDress modestly for a pilgrimage site rather than a dzong interior: shoulders and knees covered, long trousers or a long skirt, and closed shoes comfortable for hours of walking on the circumambulation path. Trashiyangtse sits at lower elevation than central Bhutan so days are milder, but bring a light jacket for cool mornings and evenings, and be ready to remove footwear at the stupa's inner areas.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Bhutan and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Chhorten Kora?

Chhorten Kora is listed for Past edition: 5–19 March 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Chhorten Kora take place?

The festival is listed in Chorten Kora, Bhutan. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

15 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Chorten Kora, Trashi Yangtse, Bhutan

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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