Sharchok riva karpo is a zhung glu, that is, a congregational or praise song. It is sung in praise of a mythical stupa or chorten (which, today at least, does not exist). It describes the blessed nature of the chorten and how uniquely it was built. As a zhung glu, it is sung at social gatherings. If there is a religious event, which ends with a social gathering and drinking, it may also be sung during the latter part (however, not during the ritual part itself). The singer is Gyalses Nima Nurboo, a descendant of the royal lineage of the former kings of Zangla. According to Gyalses Nima Nurboo, a slightly different version of the same song exists in Ladakh, called golang ba la serai yi thi.