- By - Siddhant Bhatnagar
- On - 2022-02-26
Colorful Festivals of Ladakh
We bet you didn’t know this, but the festivals celebrated in smaller towns and villages are usually more grand and gala than those celebrated in the cities. That’s because they have a greater sense of pride in their culture and traditions. They’re inspired by their community spirit that gives their lives so much meaning. This makes them more festive and lively; especially, during the festivals that are celebrated with a sense of participation from each and every member of society.
While everybody knows about the adventure activities in Ladakh and its breathtaking surroundings, did you know that it is also a great place for a family vacation? As per statistics of last year, almost a quarter of the tourists in Ladakh belongs to families.
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Hemis Festival or Hemis Tsechu
Source: Outlook India
The Hemis festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and passion by the people of Ladakh. It falls in the month of June or July. The exact dates are decided by the lama or the head priest of the monastery. In 2020, it’s going to be celebrated on 6th July.
It’s a 2-day long festival that commences with a mask dance at the monastery. It continues for two days and ends with a sacrificial offering to Lord Padmasambhava. You can spot different monks donning masks and performing dances wearing colorful attires at this monastery during the festival.
The last day begins with a procession from the monastery to the courtyard where people start gathering in the early morning hours. Here, you get to witness masked dances followed by blessings from lamas and monks who are accompanied by trumpeters and drummers. At noon, there is an offering of Chang (a local drink) to all devotees who visit this place in large numbers to celebrate this festival.
Why is it celebrated: To celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava
When is it celebrated?
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In 2022- Was celebrated on 09th – 10th July
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In 2023- It Will be celebrated on 28th & 29th July
Where is it celebrated: Hemis Monastery
Ladakh Festival
Source: indianvisit
The best time to visit Ladakh is in September. The weather remains pleasant during this time. If you wish to see the diversity in culture, then Ladakh Festival is one of the best and must-see things for you. Starts any day from the first week of September- Ladakh Festival is a 15-days celebration. Locals and even travelers celebrate this colorful festival of Ladakh with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm.
Locals and travelers groove on the music and masked performers are the highlights. People perform different types of acts throughout the span of 2-weeks. A few gaming events are also conducted during the festival including archery and polo. Everyone wears colorful dresses and sings religious rhymes. If you are visiting Leh-Ladakh during September, do not miss out on attending this festival.
Why is it celebrated: The festival is a symbol of prosperity and it embarks with the harvesting season.
When is it celebrated?
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2022- September
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2023- Yet to be decided
Where is it celebrated: Leh
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Losar Festival
Losar festival is not the only festival that takes place in Ladakh. The ‘Sindhu Darshan festival is also celebrated with utmost enthusiasm. People from all over the country come to pay homage to the Sindhu river by singing songs and performing dances. This festival is held in Leh district and it starts on 21st June and ends on 23rd June.
Buddhist Monks can be seen performing sacred acts and people can be heard chanting mantras. Tourists are also allowed to join this festival and seek blessings from the Sindhu river.
Another famous festival that people love to visit is the Hemis festival which is held at Hemis Gompa, one of the largest monasteries in India. This festival takes place on the 10th-11th day of the Tibetan calendar (July-August).
Why is it celebrated: To mark the beginning of the New Year
When is it celebrated?
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2022- 24th December
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2023- 13th December
Where is it celebrated: All over Ladakh
Tak Tok Festival or Takthok Tsechu
If you want to experience one of the best festivals in Ladakh then you should be a part of the Hemis Festival. The festival is also known as the Hemis Tsechu and it is observed for two days. It is celebrated in the Hemis Monastery which is located in Leh. This festival is celebrated on the 10th day of the 5th Tibetan Calendar month and it falls from mid-July to mid-August.
The festival goes by both the above-given names and is celebrated with great opulence. It is one of the prideful and best festivals of Ladakh because the locals and visitors get a chance to see the dance of Lamas. They perform of scared land of Takthok Monastery cave.
The festival falls when it’s the best time to travel to Ladakh for the visitors during July-August. The festival is celebrated on the 10th day of the 5th Lunar Calendar. This day is marked as an auspicious on their calendar. The entire Takthok Gompa is decorated with colorful items which elevate the atmosphere of the places. If you are traveling to Leh Ladakh during July–August try to become a part of this festival.
Why is it celebrated: To enjoy the dance of the Lamas
When is it celebrated?
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2022- 7th -8th August
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2023 – 28th – 29th July
Where is it celebrated: Takthok Monastery
Saka Dawa Festival
Source: Tibet local guide
Saka Dawa Festival is a one-day celebration and is known to be the most sacred day of their year. It celebrated the birth of Lord Buddha in the Forth Lunar month of the Tibetan Calendar. It is generally celebrated on the full moon day or the new moon day. During the festival, none of the villages of Ladakh kill or savor meat because that’s one of the principles of Buddhism.
This festival is celebrated in June, which is also an ideal time to travel to Ladakh. So while you iterate your trip make sure to be a part of this festival if time allows.
Why is it celebrated: To celebrate the birth of Lord Buddha
When is it celebrated?
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2022- 14th June
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2023- 4th June
Where is it celebrated: All over Ladakh
Phyang Tsedup Festival
Credits : Hellotravel.com
The Dragon Dance is one of the main highlights of the Phyang Festival. The dance is performed by the monks on the second day of the festival. The dance is an eight-day dance festival that is held on the 15th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar.
The main aim to celebrate this charming and colorful festival of Ladakh is to commemorate all the teachings of Lord Buddha. On this day, the founder of the Dringampa Monastic Dynasty is also worshipped by the natives.
The monks wear colorful and attractive clothes and robes and they perform the Cham Dance. You can spot a lot of masked dancers performing at the venue. Enjoying the festival is one of the best things to do in Phyang Monastery during these days.
Why is it celebrated: It is the festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil
When is it celebrated?
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2022- 26th – 27th July
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2023- 15th – 16th July
Where is it celebrated: Phyang Monastery
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Yuru Kabgyat
Credits: tourmyindia.com
On the occasion of this 2-day festival, the monks perform various religious rites and rituals. They also perform some traditional dance forms. The most popular among them consists of a mask dance where the performers try to scare away evil spirits with masks that they wear.
The festival is celebrated in the month of June and is a main attraction for tourists and visiting devotees. From dramas, stage shows, dance performances, songs to the religious teachings of Lord Buddha; the festival has multiple things on offer. So, if you plan to visit the Lamayuru monastery during these days, enjoy the festival too.
Why is it celebrated: This is another festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil.
When is it celebrated?
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2022- 26th June – 27th June
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2023- 16th June – 17th June
Where is it celebrated: Lamayuru Monastery
Korzok Gustor
Credits: paintedstork.com
Korzok Gustor is a spectacular festival celebrated in Ladakh. This two-day festival is celebrated in the Korzok monastery. The celebration takes place in the month of July and is attended by a large number of people. This festival is celebrated by the monks who especially come here to attend the festival.
The gorgeous monastery offers an amazing backdrop for this colorful celebration. The highlight of the festival is the folk dance and music events that attract a lot of people from across the world. The Changpa nomadic groups also come here to attend this colorful celebration with their families and loved ones.
The traditional dance events are held on both days of the event, whereas the religious ceremony, recitation, and prayer chants are held on the first day only.[
Why is it celebrated: To celebrate the establishment of the Korzok Monastery
When is it celebrated?
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2022- 31st – 1st Aug
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2023- 20th – 21st July
Where is it celebrated: Korzok Monastery
Stok Guru Tsechu
Credit: ju-lehadventure
The festival is a new addition to the list of festivals. It was started by the then king of Ladakh, Tsewang Namgail, in honor of his father, who had passed away. The festival is marked by the performance of cham dances by the monks and lamas. There are also special dishes prepared for the day, along with a lot of music and performances.
There's a lot more to the festival than what meets the eye. Unlike other festivals where the monks and lamas perform all the rituals, in this festival, it's the common people who perform all the rituals.
Why is it celebrated: To bless the villages and natives of Ladakh by the Oracle. The same person also declares the prophecies of the upcoming year.
When is it celebrated?
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2022- 11th– 12th March
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2023- 28th – 1st March
Where is it celebrated: Stock Palace, Leh
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Conclusion
By visiting Ladakh, You will be able to see some of the best monasteries there. You will come across some of the oldest and most beautifully sculpted monasteries that are on the verge of extinction. Just for this reason, I recommend you make a strong effort to visit these colorful festivals before they fade from your memory completely.