THE RELIGIOUS FRESCOES IN KUNZANG CHODENS NOVEL THE CIRCLE OF KARMA

The paper examines the thematic exploration of religious identity in Kunzang Chodens novel The Circle of Karma. It takes a critical look at the transformation of the protagonist Tsomo from an ordinary village girl to a spiritual nun, elaborating on how religion played its role in this evolution. Choden has graphically portrayed the length and breadth of religious rites and rituals that prevailed in Bhutan. The novel follows, in the person of Tsomo, deep-rooted Bhutanese cultural and religious traditions, going to the depths pertaining to questions of karma, suffering, and peace considering lifes misfortunes on the journey to enlightenment.