The sacred pilgrimage site known as Sangri Maṇi Stone Fortress is located in the northern part of Sershul County, at a distance of about 80 km from Sershul monastery. It lies not far from Gyasling and Chungthak, at a place called Sangthok. Because the area where the fortress stands is named Sangthok, the site came to be known as Sangri Maṇi Stone Fortress. It is also referred to in pilgrimage guides as Ling Maṇi Stone Fortress.
This Maṇi Stone Fortress is constructed entirely from neatly stacked Maṇi stones, inscribed stones, and statues, with no modern materials such as concrete or cement at all. It is built in a neat, square shape.
- Its east-west length is about 73 meters,
- Its north-south width is about 73 meters,
- Its height is about 47 meters.
The outer walls are roughly 10 meters high, and the central structure inside the courtyard stands about 15 meters tall. On the surface of the walls are arranged rows of clay sculptures of buddhas and deities. Inside are enshrined vividly depicted statues, mainly featuring the Thirty Heroes of Ling. According to measurements, the entire inner three layers are filled almost entirely with stone inscriptions. There is also a traditional belief that the height of the stone fortress continues to increase gradually on its own.
In front of the Maṇi Stone Fortress there is a gate through which one may enter. Inside, many circular, multi‑layered Maṇi stone mounds can be seen. At the very centre of these circles sits a sacred, eye‑like object about five cubits in size, covered with Maṇi stones. According to local custom, this ‘wisdom eye’ at the centre of the fortress is considered to be like the heart of the Maṇi Stone Fortress. It is said that if one uncovers it, touches it, and offers prayers, various gentle and auspicious sounds, as if from past and present beings, can be heard. This tradition is widespread among local people.
Concerning when this Maṇi Stone Fortress was built, there are several accounts in historical sources:
One account, from A Brief Introduction to the Great Liberation Site of Ling Maṇi Stone Fortress in Dokham Snowland, states that among all the great sacred sites in the world, this supreme site of universal blessing and great liberation was established in the tenth century, nearly a thousand years ago. During the time when the Three Great Protectors and the Dalai Lama Padma Lingpa appeared as emanations to subdue enemies and protect the Dharma in the Snowland, the two or three heroes of Ling, in accordance with visionary instructions, gathered together with excellent aspirations to make offerings and prayers. They performed great deeds such as the five long chortens. Following the prophecy that a great supreme site should be built here to protect the Dharma against enemies in all directions and to benefit future disciples, King Khrobu conducted divinations, observed the location, and founded the fortress and reliquary shrine. He installed the remains and life‑force relics of the heroes of Ling. Many other tall structures from the heroic era of the three worlds were also erected as fortresses and power places.
