The Potala Kora

The mountain Marpo Ri, on which sits the Potala, is embraced by a pathway that is called the Potala Kora.

The kora is lined with prayer wheels on the back (northern) of the hill. The outside and the inside  of the wheels are inscribed with inscription and prayer texts respectively. The pilgrims spin the wheels to send their skyward as they walk along the Kora. The photos below shows how the pilgrim progress goes: spin the wheel in a clockwise direction,complete a circle.

It is very nice to take a walk  at the foot of the before or after the visit Potala Palace. The walk has been largely secularized due to the recent renovations by government, but still there are a large number of people, especially in the morning. The distance from western chorten to northwest corner, between which are all prayer wheels, is marked by three large chortens.


Pilgrims come to Potala Kora Circuit from thousands of miles away to walk around Potala, this small Kora is always packed and busy. As to visit Potala is the dream of a Tibetan, the dream starts at Circumambulating Potala. Pilgrims move clockwise around red hill- the Potala koras. Prayer wheels extending along side the wall of red hill, while tiny cart selling everything for Tibetans everyday needs, including cloth, beads for worshop, pots, decorations, and utencils.

Beggers are one of the important roles in Kora, it is considered as a custom in Tibet and not a sign of pooverty.
Prligrims come from common families have to raise money to support  their long ,slow way from their home to Potala Palace. This way is quite a long way and it is always last a month to few years.

 
 

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