L O C A L E V E N T S I N L A D A K H
Monastic Festivals & Other Events
Travelers have the opportunity to visit different events, and festivals during their stay in Ladakh. All events are celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor, and are attended by visitors and local inhabitants alike. Participating in one, or several, will give you a personal insight into Ladakh's rich cultural heritage, and give you experiences you will not forget easily.
The most prominent, and probably the best known among the local events, are the religious mask dances. During two days, the monks, dressed in brocade costumes and wearing impressive masks, are demonstrating ritual dances that are performed in the courtyard of a Buddhist monastery. This ritual dances, called chham, represent the victory of good over evil.
Another well-known happening, held over several days, is the Ladakh Festival. In September, the interested tourists can get insights into the rich cultural heritage of the region: Archery, mask dances, polo matches, local dances - these are just a few of the many activities shown. The program is usually published during the summer season.
Most monasteries are open during the tourist season. Some rooms will be accessible to the tourists, like the prayer halls, rooms of the protector deities, library, etc. Some monasteries welcome travelers to attend pujas, morning prayers in the assembly hall. Maybe you are lucky to observe monks creating beautifully colored sand mandalas.
Other social events in Ladakh are ceremonies of newly born babies, marriages, archery competitions, polo or ice hockey matches, death ceremonies, etc. It is tradition, too, that farmers remember specific happenings related to field work.
The most prominent, and probably the best known among the local events, are the religious mask dances. During two days, the monks, dressed in brocade costumes and wearing impressive masks, are demonstrating ritual dances that are performed in the courtyard of a Buddhist monastery. This ritual dances, called chham, represent the victory of good over evil.
Another well-known happening, held over several days, is the Ladakh Festival. In September, the interested tourists can get insights into the rich cultural heritage of the region: Archery, mask dances, polo matches, local dances - these are just a few of the many activities shown. The program is usually published during the summer season.
Most monasteries are open during the tourist season. Some rooms will be accessible to the tourists, like the prayer halls, rooms of the protector deities, library, etc. Some monasteries welcome travelers to attend pujas, morning prayers in the assembly hall. Maybe you are lucky to observe monks creating beautifully colored sand mandalas.
Other social events in Ladakh are ceremonies of newly born babies, marriages, archery competitions, polo or ice hockey matches, death ceremonies, etc. It is tradition, too, that farmers remember specific happenings related to field work.
Dates of Monastic Festivals
& Local Events In 2021
|
Spituk Gustor 11 & 12 January 2021
Leh & Likir Dosmoche 9 & 10 February 2021 Yargon Tungshak 15 & 16 February 2021 Stok Guru Tsechu 21 & 22 February 2021 Matho Nagrang 26 & 27 February 2021 Saka Dawa 26 May 2021 Hemis Tsechu 20 & 21 June 2021 Shachukul Gustor 26 & 27 June 2021 Stongday Gustor 27 & 28 June 2021 HH The Dalai Lama Birthday 6 July 2021 Karsha Gustor, Zangskar 7 & 8 July 2021 |
Phyang Tsedup 7 & 8 July 2021
Korzok Gustor, Tso Moriri 13 & 14 July 2021 Taktok Tsechu 19 & 20 July 2021 Sani Nasjal, Zaskar 23 & 24 July 2021 Tingang Tseskarmo 24 July 2021 Ladakh Festival September 2021 Deskit Gustor, Nubra 4 & 5 October 2021 Nyoma Gustor 4 & 5 October 2021 Thiksey Gustor 22 & 23 November 2021 Chemdey Wangchok 2 & 3 December 2021 Galdan Namchot 29 December 2021 Ladakhi Losar 3 January 2022 |
