Festivals and Fairs of Ladakh:

Every place has it distinct flavor, it is the vibe that you feel when you visit the place. Be its food, its people, its shared values, and their way of facing challenges that are unique to the geography. All such things are combined like a tale and reflect in their lifestyle. Ladakh is no different and no matter in what harsh conditions they live in, they hold their cultural tapestry very dear to themselves. A proud sect of people with a spiritual outlook, they celebrate their festivals mostly on the premises of their monasteries that are set in enchanting mountain backdrops of the trans-Himalayan kingdom. All throughout the year the festivals are celebrated where their traditional Cham dance is performed and the performers wear colorful attires with both graceful and frightful masks depicting stories embedded deep in their culture. There will be something that we can always plan for you. Take a walk through some of these vibrant fairs and festivals.

Losar festival: A celebration for new beginnings, Losar is a typically traditional Tibetan festival that usually marks the beginning of the new year.  Happens in the month of February and Hemis and Thiksey are the best storytelling premises to witness the celebration of the grand show of 15 days. Out of these first 3 days are said to be exceptionally pious for Ladakhis. Monks dress up in motley clothes and perform their famed cham or mask dance. The streets are filled with revelry and colors of joy shoot out everywhere. Ancient in its tradition and deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Ladakh. A folklore states that an oracle told Jamyang Namgyal the then-King of Ladakh to restrict himself from fighting the soldiers stationed in Baltistan till the upcoming year. But the ruthless Monarch changed the New Year celebration by a month making it getting observed before its due time.

Since the festival marks a new beginning, it’s a time when families meet and greet.  They decorate their homes just like the monasteries and usher in new things while discarding old ones. Welcome each other forgetting old differences and time to reflect within. People pray, meditate, feast, and walk on the paths of self-improvement. Offerings are made to Goddess Palden Lhamo in the Namgyal monastery on the first day and other monasteries follow it. On the second day, there will be a gathering of monks from Bhutan, Tibet, Mongolia, Nepal, and China in the Hall of Excellence of Nirvana and Samsara. And on the third day, all monks participate in the revelry. There will be performances of music and traditional games during this time. It is a fantastic time for the monasteries to show how influential they are as seats of learning and growth for the people of Ladakh. It’s a great time to go around Thiksey and Hemis and lose yourself in the glory of the festival.

Ladakh Festival: the 7-day Ladakh festival is specially initiated by the tourism department of Ladakh to showcase its beauty and culture to the entire globe. Held in September, the weather will be less chilly and autumn colors can be seen in certain parts of the country. It is also an idea to extend the lean tourism season in the region. Masked dance which is an inseparable part of the festival is performed with great pomp and show. Apart from this it also proudly displays the sports of the region which is archery and polo. There is traditional food available folk dances are performed and handicrafts are available. Pick up a blazing dragon painting, or walk away with a grand clay sculpture. Or would you like an amazing wall hanging depicting green tara, and wooden sculptures, the art ground is all yours and you can choose your best bet?

Sindhu Darshan festival: Sindhu is what Indians lovingly refer to as the better-known Indus river which is so the reason why Ladakh as a land thrives. Sindhu Darshan or Indus visiting celebration is to revere the life-giving river and uphold its significance and beauty to the world. It is considered as pious in the region and revered dearly by the locals during the month of June usually on Guru Purnima or a full moon night.  It is a three day event celebrated near the Shey palace. The embankment of the river is beautifully done so that one can breathe the embalming air. The festival is very recent, it started in the year 1997 and became popular in the year 2000 owing to the large scale and grand celebration it transpired into. People participate in this festival by carrying earthen pots housing the water from their respective states. They come and pour it in the Indus River. On the first day all the participants are received belonging from various communities and different religion. 50 monks chant and make the occasion auspicious. The second and third day also gets to see the pomp of worshiping and sightseeing tours being organized around. The act of pouring water in the river brings the significance of the beauty in diversity of the region and the country on a whole. And despite their different origin they managed to unify and merge with the Indus River in pure submission and reverence.

Hemis Festival: Celebrated in the premises of one of the most popular and visited monasteries, Hemis Gompa, this festival is 2 day event marking the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava again in the month of June around. If you wish to gyrate on the beats of drums synced perfectly with traditional long-necked musical instruments of Tibet and cymbals, then do it. This is the right time and place to give in to these beats and get immersed in the heavenly atmosphere. Giant Thangkas or Buddhist paintings are unfurled on both festivity days here. They are paintings done with gold dust mixed and turned into liquid for painting. It has a very interesting pattern for display in fact. The largest giant thangka which is 2 storied long is unfurled during the first day of the festival on every 12^th year since its celebration. Last one was displayed in 2016, so the next will be again displayed in 2028. Lot of people gather to see this festival and history and mythology buffs are found engrossed during the entire time of this session. Are you one of them? Then lets take you straight in the heart of Hemis festival.

Taktok Festival: One of our personal favorites Taktok Tshechu festival is a really intriguing one among all the festival of Ladakh. Its mystic nature will specially find appeal to spiritual enthusiasts.  Takthok means  rock roof in Ladakhi language as the gompa or the Takthok monastery’s walls are made of rock along with its roof. Among the 4 major Tibetan Budhhism schools of thoughts Nyingmapa is the oldest and this monastery belongs to that school of thought and is one of the rarest or perhaps the only one.  The monastery is surreally built around a cave which was once used by Guru Rinpoche in the 8^th century for his meditation. Otherwise quiet monastery housing 60 monks come alive during the festivity to celebrate the blessings it received from Guru Rinpoche. If you observe the specific mask dances that are performed during the festival you will be able to trace the early life journey of Guru Rinpoche. Its an enlightening process where your mind will be purified through the sheer view of the transforming experience of Guru Rincpoche.

Saka Dawa festival: Performed during the Budhha Purnima or Vesak day, celebrating birth, enlightenment and final nirvana of Lord Buddha. One of the supreme festivals of Buddhism, this is celebrated in a grand way in Ladakh, Tibet and other parts of India where monks practice Buddhism in monasteries. Usually takes place in the month of May. A beautiful procession called Bhumsor ir organized where sacred religious books, and spiritual relics like thangkas resounding the great life of Lord Buddha. The walk is considered holy and many who may not even be part of the monk clan and can be general civilians from various walks of life join this parade which finally ends in the polo grounds of Ladakh. The festival is an ultimate reflection of one’s life, to cleanse your soul for the sake of giving back to the world through selfless service.  Those who cannot be part of all the festivities or the procession also choose to visit monasteries and offer prayers to Lord Buddha, make confessions to cleanse their souls of all wrongdoings and seek blessings for a fulfilling life.

Apricot blossom festival: Just a few months back in April this colorful and fruity festival was celebrated. An initiative taken by Ladakh tourism to promote the place when it has bloomed with the pink-hued trees everywhere. See the trees all across the valley adding colors to the rustic mountain backdrop with your own eyes and taste some of the succulent apricots on your way. If you think that is all we have in store for you then you will be pleasantly surprised to know that there will be shop till you drop experiences at this time in the valley. There will be some amazing sightseeing opportunities coupled with dance and traditional music. Get to know the warm Ladakhi people through their culture, and food choices and steal a glace with those red-cheeked cherubs running across the valley gleefully stealing quick mischievous stares at all the travelers. Stretched over more than 10 days, this festival is a lovely time to explore the natural beauty of Ladakh and its joyful people. You can also choose to purchase products of apricots as souvenirs like healthy jams, wholesome syrups, and juices collected from this amazing trip. You can end the day by listening to music and making moves with the live music played during the festival.

Stok Guru Tshechu festival: Performed in the picturesque village of Stok, this is a lesser known but intriguing monastery festival. The village is the present seat of the royal family of Ladakh. Here oracles or soothsayers come up and predict the future in the upcoming year. These oracles are basically ordinary villagers and not monks which makes this more interesting.  They are undergo training from the monks of Spituk Gompa to prepare their body to be used as instruments for deities as they enter their body and predict the future for those who wishes to know. Their bodies are cleansed spiritually before the festival and totally prepared by monks. The Ladakhi royal family believe and act as per the verdict given by the oracle. Wish to know what future holds? Come over and sip in from this tradition.

Apart from all the above there is Thiksey Gustor festival celebrated in Thiksey, the Dosmoche festival celebrated in Likir Gompa or Diskit festival celebrated in the grand Disket Gompa are some festivals which if you attend will serve the dual purpose of cultural immersion and landscape and monastery exploration. They are all set in small villages and there is something or the other that will always be available in each month or close by. All that you need to do is know them in advance and make your picks accordingly so that you know which one you should be ready to embark on.  There is something for everyone, be it culture enthusiast, story weaver, photography lover, natural beauty worshipper or plain simple wanderlust. The festivals are also a great way of learning your past, your connection with other related religions and spiritual sects.  You will find your self changed after celebrating one such festival with the locals. Your idea of inclusivity and diversity at the same time will be woven beautifully in your soul if you plan to visit any of these festivals and allows them to make indelible marks on your soul for the rest of your life.