Tirthapuri (also spelled Tirtapuri, and sometimes called Preturi) was originally founded as a temple and given its name in the mid-11C by the great Indian Buddhist scholar Atisha, who came to help in the revival of Buddhism in Tibet. Tirthapuri enjoys close association with Padmasambhava (Tib. Guru Rinpoche). The terrace to the left is tied to a corresponding terrace at the same elevation on the opposite side of the Sutlej River with sets of prayer flags. These help to restore the subtle energies carried along the discontinuous ridge severed by the river valley and maintain some continuity of earth energies.