Tibetan and Himalayan Library - THL

II.2. Superficial structures: Primarily funerary superstructure

Purang KhyölSpu rang ’khyol

Basic site data

• Site name: Purang KhyölSpu rang ’khyol
• English equivalent:
• Site number: D-42
• Site typology: II.2
• Elevation:
• Administrative location (township): KhyunglungKhyung lung
• Administrative location (county): TsamdaRtsa mda’
• Survey expedition: UTAE
• Survey date:
• Contemporary usage: None.
• Identifiable Buddhist constructions: Nearby there is a cairn and prayer flags marking the summit.
• Maps: UTRS V, UTRS X, HAS C3
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General site characteristics

Purang KhyölSpu rang ’khyol consists of highly eroded upright slab-wall remnants that were erected on the top of the pass connecting KhyunglungKhyung lung village with the higher tablelands to the south. The terrain is level, sandy and with some grass cover. Large slabs and blocks of stones form a large single-course rectangular enclosure. These stones prominently protrude up to 40 cm above the ground surface. This enclosure appears to be funerary in function.

Oral tradition

According to a myth circulating around KhyunglungKhyung lung, Purang KhyölSpu rang ’khyol is named for the movement of a giant black serpent. This serpent slithered across the Purang KhyölSpu rang ’khyol pass after its den was disturbed in Khyunglung YülméKhyung lung yul smad during the construction of a manima ṇi wall. Khyöl’Khyol is the local variant of khyil’khyil; a twisting or winding motion).