Ladakh, with almost more than 30 villages and each monastery has its annual festival, therefore undoubtly it’s the “Land of celebrations”.

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Duration: 2 Day(s)

Dates:17 & 18 March 2011

Matho Nagrang is a festival celebrated at Matho monastery, which is the only monastery of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism. This festival is observed on the fifteenth day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar.Matho Nagrang is a two-day long festival. Monks wear colorful silk and brocaded robes and masks of different Gods and Goddesses. They perform mask dances during those two days.Matho Nagrang is famous because the two oracles appear during the festival after meditating for an entire month in complete isolation. The mask dancers accompany the two oracles to the courtyard and the latter predict future events. These oracles are monks of the monastery who meditate in complete isolation for an entire month and prepare to enter a state of trance and thus invoke the spirit of the deities.

Duration: 2 Day(s)

Dates:14 & 15 March 2011

Stok Guru Tsechu is yet another Buddhist festival in Ladakh that falls every year in the month of February, just one week before Matho Nagrang. The festival of Stok Guru Tsechu in Ladakh is today one of the widely celebrated fairs and festivals in Jammu and Kashmir and is observed with much fervor and gaiety by the Buddhist community across Leh Ladakh in India.

The Buddhist monks of Stok and Spituk monasteries in Ladakh celebrate the Stok Guru Tsechu festival for two days. The festival is almost celebrated in the same manner as the Matho Nagrang, with two “oracles” making a spiritual appearance before the public. However, the only difference in the case of Stok Guru Tsechu is that the oracles are not monks but laymen from the village who are, in turn, formally prepared by the monks to invoke the deity and holy spirits.

The festival of Stok Guru Tsechu takes place in the Stok village of Ladakh. It is one of the several popular Leh Ladakh festivals that are celebrated with much zeal in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Stok Guru Tsechu festival takes place in Gurphug in Ladakh on the 9th and 10th days of the first month of the Tibetan Lunar Calendar (that falls in the calendar month of February or March). The festival is marked by the performance of “masked dances” by the monks of Spituk monastery in Ladakh.

Hemis Tse-Chu

Dates:10 & 1 july 2011

The festival of Padmasambhava

The 10th day (Tses- Chu) of the Tibetan lunar month is celebrated as the birthday of Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism.The Hemis Monastery celebrates this event in the form of a 2 day festival. Its resident Lamas perform sacredmaskeddances leading to the destruction of the sacrificial offerings. Masks worn by the lamas represent various guardian divinities of the Dugpa order, of which Hemis is the leading establishment in Ladakh.This 200 year-old tradition was introduced by a member of Ladakh’s ruling family who was reincarnated in the 18th century as the monastery’s Head lama, ‘ Sras Rimpoche’. The Hemis dances are a re-enactment of the magical feats of Padmasambhava, in his services to the cause of Buddhism in his eight different manifestations.The festival takes an auspicious turn every 12 years in the Tibetan Year of the Monkey, when the two-storey high ‘Thankga’ depicting Padmasambhava is displayed. This famous Thankga, richly embroidered with pearls and and semi-precious stones, is due to be displayed next in AD 2004.As the Hemis festival is held during the peak summer season. It attracts the largest number of people from within and outside Ladakh.

Thiksay Gustor Festival

Dates:13 & 14 Nov 2011

Thiksay Gustor Festival takes place in the Thiksay Gompa monastery about 19km from Ladakh in mid November. According to the Tibetan lunar calendar it falls on the 10th month. It’s a two day festival and is time for the people to witness a blissful transformation from the daily patterned life to a new delightful year ahead!

This region is famous globally for the monastic festivals, traditional dance forms and dance drama, acrobatics and mask performances wherein the masquerade portrays the various divine figures.

The festival primarily takes place in the Spituk, Thiksay and Karsha Zanskar monasteries. The Thiksay monastery is also credited to be located in the brilliant and picturesque surroundings of hills and slopes.

The literal meaning of Gustor is ‘the sacrifice of 29th’. The victory of the black hat dancers over evil is what is depicted through the dance drama and the entire event. The spiritual upheaval that one gets to experience in this festival is something truly unusual.

The event has a remarkable ceremony to mark the beginning and the end. It begins by a ritual of liquid offering which intends to invite the god and goddess for the festival. The closing is marked by the leader of the black hat dancers. The ritual is to offer ‘stroma’, and perform the killing of all evil using the traditional weapons. This is then swayed in all cardinal directions symbolising eviction of the devil.

It is also believed that this festival brings about peace and happiness and gives you a chance to sneak into galore of fun and enjoyment.

The Ladakh Carnival (The ladakh festival)

Dates:1 to 15 Sept 2011

Has September generally been boring and uninteresting so far? Well then, maybe we have something for you!

The first two weeks of September is time for the local people in Ladakh to put back all their tensions, worries and other negative aspects and come out live. They are draped in the most vibrant colours and the air around simply takes you high. It’s time for the biggest event in the province popular as ‘THE LADAKH FESTIVAL’.

The festival primarily comprises of traditional Ladakhi Mask Dances from the Monasteries, folk songs, a stunning and dramatic procession with beguiling dance sequences. Also polo, river rafting, archery and other such activities are organized. The folks full of ardour and fervour thereby seem to create a new prodigy.

It is an annual festival which takes place in the Polo ground of Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir. In an effort to uplift and promote the prominent and distinguished culture and heritage of Ladakh, the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department in association with the local and District Administrators, organize this festival of joy, elation and ecstasy. This festival is also celebrated to venerate the confinement and progression of the Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism.

The festival begins with various cultural troupes from all across Ladakh assembling for a procession across the region, singing traditional songs and performing their regional dance forms. A common and alluring feature in all the fairs and festivals of this region is the performance by the monks. It is indeed a visual treat.

The Buddhist Monks wearing their respective masks perform the traditional dance form known as the “CHHAMS”. This dance from adds a particular pulsating tinge to the entire festival. The Lamas take tremendous pride in performing this traditional folk dance wearing their large masks and long pipes known as CYMBALS, matching their steps in perfect rhythm with the pipes and drum beats.

Of all the events, the Archery Festival is one of the most prestigious and fascinating. Men in this region are traditionally habituated to master the bow and arrow skills. This is exhibited as a special art form during the festival. It is thus a matter of great pride and honour. Another interesting event in this festival is the mock marriage ceremony. The bigger spectrum is thus a fun filled atmosphere, colourfully dressed people, electrifying performances and a vivacious ambience, the various events thereby illuminating the entire event even more.

In your next vacation, Ladakh does deserve a notice in your list of options. After all, there aren’t many sections of the society who till date have been able to twine and weave their age old traditions in the right blend over the years. It is definitely a visit worth all that you saved for a grand holiday!

Galdan Namchot

Dates: 20 Dec.2011

New Year in Ladakh is a prominent feast and would serve all your five senses with equal charm. Wondering how? I’ll tell you. To begin with it’s like a three dimensional visual for your eyes. Events of such magnitude are seldom seen and the fun is even more if you ‘want to’ participate in the celebration. Next, for your taste buds it’s again like a new blend altogether. Further, you get to hear the most enigmatic folk tunes and melodies. The food and the natural flavour are a perfect bouquet for your nose. Let’s get into the details.

Galdan Namchot is what the people look forward to every year. This event binds the entire society in a fresh hue and everyone makes an effort to make things better ahead. For the people of the region, this festival is homecoming for another year.

There is a sacrosanct feature of the event as well. Tibetan saint-scholar, Tsongkhapa - founder of the Gelukpa School happened to preach Tibetan Buddhism sometime around the 14th century. He is identified as a significant spiritual icon in the community. With time, Gelukpa became considerably large and popular. This in turn led to the rise of the Gelupka thereby attaining a pivotal position in central Tibet.

Galdan Namchot is also an occasion to venerate the saint’s birthday and his teachings. The celebrations are followed by another festive tide- the Dosmoche festival.

A momentous sight during this festival is to see the local people flash streamers and torches signifying the defeat of the evil. It is then turned in a swivel motion which depicts the eviction of evil forces. This ritual is popularly known as ‘Metho’. This gesture tends to abide people within the common belief, ‘a good deed done is good returned’. It perhaps helps people to consciously check their ‘karma’.

This is also a special moment in the family to exchange gifts. It is an affair involving a special emotional connect and sentiments. It is customary to present a ceremonial scarf known as ‘Khatak’.

During this entire phase Leh, Ladakh looks like a painter’s ideal portray. Every single aspect of the whole region seems to be flawless and just picture perfect.

The decoration, the lights, the performances, the food, the music, the masks, the new clothes and jewellery, the celebrations, the dazzling torches, the ‘thukpa’ and other delicacies… the list would never end. The best thing is probably the fact that this region at these times highlight the age old saying, ‘good things come in small packages!’

It is difficult indeed to assess that such a tiny province can have this level of socio-cultural potential. The level of energy that resonates throughout the event makes such an impression that any common man would really ‘give in’ and feel ‘simply great’.

Sindhu Darshan Leh

Sindhu Darshan Leh is a festival of worshipping and paying homage to the dynamic Indus River from which the nation India is said to derive its name. It’s a great opportunity to have a dip in the river at this time as it’s sacred, it’s one of the largest rivers in India, and is a portrayal of power, dignity and poise.

The festival takes place in May-June. It was first organised in 1997.

This festival displays an amazing zeal among the local people thereby enticing tourists from all over the world. Sindhu Darshan seems to be the pride of this region which is celebrated with outstanding high spirits and an unmatched vivacity. The festival is a mode of paying respect to the river Indus so that it showers her blessings on the people.

Celebrated in the month of June, this festival also aims at paying homage to the soldiers of India who bravely fought for their country at Siachin, Kargil and other places. The festival brings all the families of the jawans together, who remember them and pay their tribute. It does seem to be the perfect form of solace for them.

For the Hindus particularly, the Indus River carries a lot of importance. This is so because Indus happens to be referred to a number of times in their holy books. They seem to feel fortunate if they manage to be a part of the festival.

A lot of people also immerse the remains of the ashes of their family members. They believe this is the true sanctification for the dead.

Indus happens to be very sacred for the Buddhists as well. Lord Buddha is believed to have crossed this river along with his followers. His stupas on the river bank, reveals the importance. A lot of cultural programs tend to take place at this time. The states blessed by the presence of the river happen to flock in large numbers.

The Sindhu Cultural centre and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council has been established recently. The main idea behind the whole project is to seat and host large number of people for the cultural gatherings, exhibition, programs and other such events. It also aids in displaying features about the heritage and tradition of the region.

The following bodies come together for organizing any event in the cultural centre. They also work together for the festival:

• ▪ Ladakh Buddhist Association
• ▪ Shia Majilis
• ▪ Sunni Anjumam
• ▪ Christian Moravian Church
• ▪ Hindu Trust
• ▪ Sikh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee

The list above is quite an example of how people from all communities come together to prove that it is possible to live in peace and happiness…in spite of all odds!

Buddha Purnima

Dates: 15 june 2011

Buddha Purnima is one of the most auspicious day for Buddhist community since it marks the day when Lord Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and his soul departed his body which is called Mahaparinirvana. It is celebrated with great fervor by Ladakhi people on the full moon day.

Yuru Kabgyat

Dates: 28 & 29 june 2011

Yuru Kabgyat is a two-day monastic festival of Lamayuru Gompa that falls on the 17th and 18th day of the 5th Tibetan month, generally coinciding in July. With about 200 resident monks, Lamayuru is the principal monastery of the Dri-gung-pa order.

Numerous sacred dances and rituals are held on the eve of Yuru Kabgyat. The masks worn by the lamas at the dance are those representing the guardian divinities of the Dri-gung-pa order.Like other monastic dances, it concludes with the destruction of the sacrificial offerings.

Karsha Gu-stor

Dates: 27 & 28 july 2011

Karsha Gu-stor festival, commemorating the victory of good over evil, takes place at the largest Geluk-pa, Yellow Hat, monastery on on slopes Zanskar mountains high above the Padum plain. Karsha monastery is also Zanskar's largest in terms of resident monks, counting more than 100 lamas. The monastery is built on a steep mountainside rising above the village of Karsha, a spectacular site some 12 kilometers from Padum, Zanskar's ancient capital. Gu-stor sacred dances or 'chhams' are held to commemorate the birthday of Tsongkha-pa, the founder of the Geluk-pa monastic order.

Phyang Tse-dup

Dates: 1 & 2 August 2011

Phyang Monastery is located 17kms west of Leh, situated on a hill overlooking the village and home to about 70 monks. Originally founded as a Kadampa establishment, it is now one of the two monasteries of the Dri-gung-pa order.The annual Tse-dup is held on the 2nd and 3rd day of the 6th Tibetan month, which generally falls in July-August. It involves sacred mask dances of monks in rich silk costumes. Every third year (year of the pig, snake and monkey, of the Tibetan calendar), a huge elaborate thangkha of Skyabje Jigten Gombo, founder of the Dri-gung-pa order, is unveiled.

Like other Ladakhi festivals, the festival closes with the destruction of the Storma of the final day.

The Korzok Gustor

Dates: 2 & 3 Aug 2011

The Korzok Gustor (Tsomoriri Lake) is an antique fiesta of the Buddhists which was Detained in the Korzok Monastery in Ladakh region, the Korzok Gustor (Tsomoriri Lake) Festival is well-known for its Black Hat Dance. The Korzok Monastery fits in to the Yellow camp and it is located in Korzok Township which is to be found approximately the superb Tsomoriri Lake. Korzok Gustor (Tsomoriri Lake) is also famous as Mountain Lake. It is around 350 years mature and consists of 33 residential priests.

Gustor represents devotee. The factual sense is sacrifice of the 29th day. Feeling right to the antique Geluk-pa order, the Gustor ceremony carries on for 2 days. Korzok Gustor (Tsomoriri Lake) finishes in sacrificial Storma being dissected by the chief of the Black Hat Dancers. This procedure is also identified as Argham.

The cake is then detached and this occurrence is integrally connected to the customary work of abolishing the evil powers of life. The performance of the assassination of the spy king by a priest (Padmasambhava) types a vital fraction of the Korzok Gustor Ceremony. It is the second embodiment of Buddha.

The Gustor fiesta is also detained in such regions like Karsha, Spituk and Thiksay Monasteries. The Korzok Monastery rejoices Korzok Gustor by way of marvelous passion and keenness. The exclusive position of the Tsomoriri Lake formulates it more delightful and alluring.

Dak Thok Tsechu

Dates: 8 & 9 August 2011

Dak Thok Tsechu is one of the many Tsechu festivals that form an important part of the Tibetan Buddhist community. These festivals take place on the 10th day of the month according to the Tibetan Lunar calendar. Dak Thok Tsechu is observed in July-August.

The main features of this festival are:

• ▪ It is celebrated in the honour of Guru Rimpoche or Padma Sambhava.
  
  
• ▪ They are known to be holy incarnations involved in a number of consecrated deeds throughout their lives. The festivals are a common mode of offering a tribute to these divine entities for the local people.
  
  
• ▪ These festivals are an opening for the local people to participate in the cultural activities and social gatherings, the functions and performances adding on to the zest of the entire event.
  
  
• ▪ These occasions bring out a lot of hidden hues of the lifestyle, ancient cultural and heritage of the natives of this region.
  
  
• ▪ For visitors it provides an enchanting narrative about the lives and deeds of the spiritual icons of Tibetan Buddhist community.
  
  
• ▪ The local people in perfect sync with the monks take part in the colourful ‘Chhams’. These are traditional dance forms depicting fables and other important chronicles.
  
  
• ▪ Chham dances also relate to fascinating archives from the lives of Guru Rimpoche or Padma Sambhava.