Tirthapuri Hotspring and Kora

On the bank of the Sutlej, only a few hour’s drive to northwest of Dharchen ,the hot springs at Tirthapuri is the place where pilgrims traditionally bathe after completing their circuit of Mount Kailash. The one hour-Kora route around the site is interesting though most people can safely give this place a miss if time is tight.  Thirteen Tirthapuri Koras are considered to bring equal merit as one Kailash Kora.

Starting from the hot springs Kora trail climbs to a cremation point, An oval of rocks covered in old clothes and rags. From this point ,an alternative longer kora climbs to the way top of the ridge, rejoining the trail near the long mani wall (a wall made of mani stones).The regular kora trail continues past a hole where pilgrims dig ‘sour” earth for medicinal purposes. Further along ,there’s a “sweet” earth hole. The trail reaches a miniature version of Mt Kailash’s Drolma-la ,marked with mani stones and a large collection of Yak horns and skulls.