Korzok Monastery
Korzok Monastery | |
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Leh District, Ladakh | |
Geographic coordinates | 32°57′57″N 78°15′12″E / 32.965758°N 78.253374°E |
Architecture | |
Style | Tibetan Architecture |
Founder | Kunga Lodro Ningpo |
Korzok, དཀོར་མཛོད་ (wylie dkor-mdzod) is a
In the past, the monastery was the headquarters of the Rupshu Valley. It is an independent monastery under Korzok Rinpoche, widely known as Langna Rinpoche. The third Korzok Rinpoche, Kunga Lodro Ningpo was the founder of Korzok Monastery.
The revered monastery is 300 years old. The Tso Moriri below it is also held in reverence and considered equally sacred by the local people. With the efforts of the
Etymology
The name Korzok is a derivation from two words, namely kor meaning a 'place' in the Ladakhi language and zok which is said to derive from dzot-pa, meaning 'manager'. Over time, the sound of the final consonant of the dzot element has changed to the velar consonant [k] instead of the original alveolar [t].[3][failed verification]
An alternative attribution is that shepherds working for the monasteries in the nearby hamlets kept the king's cattle at this place, not only to tend them but to also extract milk, cheese and butter. Hence, the place came to be known as "Korzok".[
History
The history of Korzok is traced back to kings who ruled in the inhospitable terrain and fought several wars. They suffered several setbacks in wars and had to lead a nomadic life in isolation. One of the kings of this nomadic lineage had sent his emissary to Tibet seeking help. He brought a Lama from Tibet who established the monastery at Korzok about 300 years ago. Since then the nomads preferred to change their animistic religion and adopt to Buddhism. They preferred living peacefully and in harmony with their surroundings and animals. The reign of the nomadic kingdom ended with their last King Tsewang Yurgyal, who ruled until August 1947 when India became a democratic country.[4]
Shakyamuni Buddha and other statues
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Chortens and a Buddha statue
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Korzok was in the Central Asian trade route till 1947 and was the headquarters of Rupshu Valley. One of the kings, Rupshu Goba, who lived there with his family, built nine permanent houses there.[3]
The village has several houses, but the floating population of the nomads, establishing their tents (made of
Structures
Korzok monastery as seen now is said to have been re-built in the 19th century on the right bank of the Tsomoriri River. The old monastery was built on a gentle slope, unlike other monasteries that are generally perched on hill tops. An impressive photong is also located near to the Gompa. A number of
Korzok settlement is considered one of the oldest settlements of the world at this elevation. [9]The monastery houses the statue of
Geography
Located 211 km (131 mi) southeast of Leh, 164 km (102 mi) southeast of Upshi, east of Meroo and 58 km (36 mi) south of Mahe, Korzok Monastery is on the northwestern bank of Ladakh's Tso Moriri (lake), one of the highest lakes in the world of its size. The lake covers an area of 120 square kilometres (46 sq mi).[8]: 87 The water of the lake is partly brackish and partly sweet, with a depth of 30 metres (98 ft). The valley formed by the Tso Moriri and other lakes, is part of the Rupshu Valley and Plateau. The lake and its surrounding area is a Ramsar designated wetland.[2]
Korzok is on the Ladakhi portion of the
Local festival
The Korzok Gu-stor festival is held at the monastery and attracts many Chang-pa, the
Tourism
The monastery is located to the southeast of Leh, at a road distance of 215 kilometres (134 mi). It is also approachable from Manali. Leh is also connected by air with many destinations in India.
A permit—obtainable only at Leh—is essential for entry into the area. Only tented accommodation, pitched on the banks of the Tso Moriri, is available for visitors.[6]
Gallery
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Achortenin Kurzok
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View of the Korzok Monastery
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Painting in the Korzok Monastery
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Paintings in the Korzok Monastery
See also
References
- ^ a b c "India designates eleven new Wetlands of International Importance". Ramsar. 20 December 2002. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ a b c "Tsomoriri". WWF India. Archived from the original on 2 March 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-7387-026-2. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-7387-106-1. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
- ^ Datta, Rangan (16 June 2004). "Tso Moriri – Tea with Changpas". The Statesman. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2009 – via Rangan Datta website.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-74104-308-2. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
- ^
- "Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS): Tsomoriri" (PDF). Ramsar. 19 August 2002. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- Jain, Ajay (17 November 2009). "Tso Moriri in Ladakh: A sacred gift for a living planet". Kunzum. Archived from the original on 11 June 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
- ^ a b c Jain, Akshai (July 2008). "Manali to Leh: The road trip of a lifetime". Outlook Traveller Magazine. Vol. VIII, no. VII. Outlook Publishing. pp. 54–67.
- ^ "Volunteer Tso Moriri". Volunteer in India. 2008. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
- ^ "Chang Thang". Reach Ladakh. 24 June 2012. Archived from the original on 24 June 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
- ^ "Ladakh Sightseeing and Places of interest". Archived from the original on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
- ^ a b "Korzok Gustor Festival". Footloose India. 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2008.
- ISBN 978-81-8069-247-5. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
Further reading
- Linrothe, Rob (2018). "Noise along the Network: A Set of Chinese Ming Embroidered Thangkas in the Indian Himalayas". In Ann Heirman; Carmen Meinert; Christoph Anderl (eds.). Buddhist encounters and identities across East Asia (PDF). Dynamics in the History of Religions. Leiden, Boston: Brill. pp. 52–80. ISBN 978-90-04-36600-8: