A story & photos about the Kora around the Jokhang

KORA AROUND THE JOKHANG IN LHASA

The day after the Shoton (Yogurt) Festival, most of the tourists left Lhasa. Many of the Nomads were
still in town to celebrate for the week. The weather was glorious, a good day to walk a Kora, one of the
Tibetan ways to gain merit. You simply walk clockwise around a holy place, like the Jokhang Temple,
unless you're a Chinese soldier or tourist who walks counter-clockwise.

The route is rectangular in shape and about 500 meters in length. It takes about 15-20 minutes to walk
a kora around the Jokhang, depending on your speed. All along the route are shops selling everything
from Buddhas to clothes to pots and pans. Of course, you must negotiate the price; there's the highest
"tourist" price, the "Chinese" price and the "local" Tibetan price.
 
Tibetans of all ages do the kora (some with their dogs). Most chant prayers while fingering their malas,
others chat with family and friends or shop as they walk. It's a spiritual and social activity.

For those who haven't been to Tibet, I hope these photos will give you an idea of what it's like.

Ciao, Pietro