Korphu Drup: A Deep Dive into its History
The provenance of the Korphu religious festival has yet to be authenticated. However, Chakhar Lam Dorji posits that Korphu Drup was introduced in the 16th century by Pema Lingpa and Trulku Chogden Gonpo, along with the Peling religious dance, and modeled after Jampa Lhakhang and Nabji Drup in Bumthang. Nonetheless, there is one notable difference: Korphu Drup performs religious dances of the Peling tradition while Nabji Drup showcases religious dances of the Dorling tradition.
Due to the remote location of Korphu, various traditional practices have not been preserved. However, one individual donated his paddy fields for Korphu Drup and reintroduced the old practices by extending the number of ritual days and bringing back the traditional religious dances. Although Lama Phuntshok’s exact dates are unknown, it was likely in the late 20th century when he devoted his life to the conservation and improvement of Korphu Drup and religion in the village.
Several elders report that Korphu Drup had already been extended before Lama Phuntshok’s time, as there had been a day-long Drup in the past where some Peling religious dances were performed. It is plausible that Lama Phuntshok mainly facilitated the preservation and expansion of Korphu Drup, which was introduced by Pema Lingpa and Trulku Chogden Gonpo in the 16th century.
Lama Phuntshok’s achievements were made possible by his lineage, as he was from the Tamshing Choeje family from Bumthang and therefore a descendant of Pema Lingpa. Hence, it was his obligation to conserve the spiritual performances of the Peling lineage. For many years, he traveled from Bumthang to Korphu to supervise and lead the Drup ceremony.
The ritual is mostly performed by lay practitioners (gomchen) and celebrated from the 15th to 19th days of the 11th month of the Bhutanese calendar. The villagers believe that the local deities’ grace will quell disasters and epidemics in their village and Bhutan as a whole. Additionally, the village will be blessed with abundant wealth and bountiful crops, and the country will be graced with peace and harmony.
Various festivals that resemble Korphu Drup are celebrated in central and eastern Bhutan in different forms and under different names. However, only Jampa Lhakhang, Nabji, and Korphu Lhakhangs celebrate them under the name of Drup.
The origins of Korphu Drup are not officially verified. However, it is believed that the festival was introduced in the 16th century by Pema Lingpa and Trulku Chogden Gonpo, modeled after Jampa Lhakhang and Nabji Drup in Bumthang. Korphu Drup performs religious dances of the Peling tradition while Nabji Drup showcases religious dances of the Dorling tradition.
An individual named Lama Phuntshok donated his paddy fields and reintroduced old practices by extending the number of ritual days and bringing back traditional religious dances in the late 20th century.
Lama Phuntshok facilitated the preservation and expansion of Korphu Drup, which was introduced by Pema Lingpa and Trulku Chogden Gonpo in the 16th century. As a descendant of Pema Lingpa, he felt a responsibility to conserve the spiritual performances of the Peling lineage. He traveled from Bumthang to Korphu to supervise and lead the Drup ceremony.
The ritual is mostly performed by lay practitioners and celebrated from the 15th to 19th days of the 11th month of the Bhutanese calendar. The villagers believe that the festival’s celebration will quell disasters and epidemics in their village and Bhutan as a whole. Additionally, the village will be blessed with abundant wealth and bountiful crops, and the country will be graced with peace and harmony.
Yes, various festivals that resemble Korphu Drup are celebrated in central and eastern Bhutan in different forms and under different names. However, only Jampa Lhakhang, Nabji, and Korphu Lhakhangs celebrate them under the name of Drup.