Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The first room is dedicated to Tsurphu's protector deity, an aspect of blue Nagpo
Chenpo (Mahakala) called Bernakchen. There are also statues of Palden Lhamo (Shri
Devi) and Tamdrin (Hayagriva), as well as a spirit trap and several dead birds. The third
room features Dorje Drolo, a wrathful form of Guru Rinpoche astride a tiger, and the
fourth room features the Kagyud protector Dorje Phurba holding a ritual dagger. The fifth
room contains a silver statue of Tseringma, a protector associated with Mt Everest, riding a
snow lion.
The large building behind the
gönkhang
is the Serdung Chanpo, which once served as
the residence of the Karmapa. The side chapel features new statues of all 16 previous
Karmapas.
The Lhakhang Chenmo, which is to the right of the Serdung Chanpo, houses a new
20m-high statue of Sakyamuni that rises through three storeys; this replaced a celebrated
13th-century image destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.
Behind the Serdung Chanpo and Lhakhang Chenmo is the sprawling Chökang Gang
Monastery, the residence of the exiled regent of Tsurphu. Newly renovated chapels to ex-
plore include the Suri Lhundrup Phodrang and a new
shedra
(college).
The outer walls of the monastery are marked at four corners by four coloured chörtens.
DON'T MISS
STRETCHING YOUR LEGS
Tightly planned 4WD tours sometimes leave your legs itchin' for a walk and some explor-
ation. One sure way of shaking things up is to embed the following day hikes and koras in-
to your itinerary.
Tsurphu Kora
