Tashi Jurnai

　　Tashi Jurnai is situated on Tashi Jurnai Mountain, approximately 48 kilometers northeast of Tianjun County. The mountain stands at an altitude of 4,000 meters, is about 250 meters high and 600 meters wide. Its front resembles a tower and looks very much like the female reproductive organ. As a result, there is a local custom where herders, if a newborn child does not survive, will lower the next baby through a stone cave on the mountain, “pulling it out from the zero,” and the child will then survive. About 10 meters up from where one climbs through the “zero,” there is a “sky hole.” Exiting the sky hole leads to a cave about the size of a room, which serves as the “Tsangmkhang” (a dwelling place for monks in meditation). In front of the Tsangmkhang is a small pool with a diameter of about 30 centimeters and of unknown depth—never drying up in drought nor overflowing in rain. On the western side of Jurnai at the base of the mountain, there is a spring that flows from a rock crevice, called “Manla Zhuchu,” said to be able to cure gastrointestinal illnesses. On the northern side of Jurnai, there is also a spring called “Zhuoma Zhuchu,” and the water that seeps out from it also has healing properties. On the second level of Jurnai, there is a stupa; it is said that the body of a famous Nyingma sect lama is buried beneath it. The concave part at the top of the mountain is a habitat for wild pigeons and eagles, and locals regard the site as sacred. A temple has been built at the foot of the mountain, and many monks often go there to pay homage. About 1 kilometer diagonally opposite Jurnai, there is a large, mysterious cave with chilly drafts that can accommodate around 1,000 people.