Prayers, Rituals, Mask Dances & More - Experience The Best of Ladakhi Culture @ These 8 Festivals

A lot of travellers think of Ladakh as a land of surreal beauty with splendid escapades and barren mountains with daunting passes but it's so much more than just that! It is a land of a great culture, full of various customs and festivals that are just as fascinating! There is no better time to plan a trip than the festive season and so here are the best ones to attend:

1. Ladakh Festival

Picture Credits: ZeePack

The Ladakh Festival is the most popular festival of Ladakh taking place at various locations around town. Spanning the duration of 2 weeks, it exhibits the cultural diversity of the various regions of Ladakh. Artists from all over Ladakh come to perform various traditional dances, dressed in traditional Ladakhi outfits! Other activities like archery, polo & masked dances also take place and the festival comes to an end at the Polo Ground in Leh. 

Dates |1st September – 15th September 2017
Where | All Across Ladakh

2. Hemis Tsechu

Picture Credits: Amiya

One of the most popular festivals celebrated in Ladakh, Hemis Tsechu celebrates the birthday of Lord Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. It’s a 2 day festival, celebrated on the 10th day of the Tibetan lunar month and is hosted at the Hemis Gompa, the largest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh. The locals celebrate by dressing up in traditional Ladakhi dresses, and perform dances wearing colourful masks. The Lamas also perform the sacred Cham dance. It is amazing to witness the zeal and enthusiasm of the people!

Dates | 23rd June 2018 – 24th June 2018
Where | Hemis Monastery, Tikse

3. Losar Festival

Celebrated all across Leh, Losar Festival honours the New Year in the 11th month of the Tibetan calendar, two months before the Tibetan New Year. It is a very auspicious period  and it lasts for about a month. In this time the Gods, ancestors and even animals are fed. The Ibex, an auspicious symbol is painted on the walls of the kitchens by the locals, to bring in good luck, and a Metho is organized to ward off evil spirits. Don't miss this celebration!

Dates | 30th December 2017 Onwards
Where | All Across Ladakh

4. Sindhu Darshan

Picture Credits: Proud Ladakh

Sindhu Darshan is a 3 day festival and another popular festival of Ladakh that you cannot miss out on. It is held every year on Guru Purnima in the month of June. As the name suggests it is the celebration of the River Sindhu or River Indus. The natives celebrate and commemorate the holy Indus River as they believe the river maintains communal harmony and unity. The festival also pays respect to the brave Indian soldiers who died fighting for their country.

Dates | 12th June 2018 – 14th June 2018
Where | Shey Manla, 10 Kms From Leh

5. Phyang Tsedup Festival

Picture Credits: sandeepachetan

Phyang is one of the two ancient Dringungpa monasteries and this is where the festival is celebrated during July – August commemorating the teachings of Lord Buddha! The festival is full of life as the monks adorn bright and colourful silk costumes and perform a sacred mask dance. The huge thangka of Skyoba Giksten Gonbo is hung in the courtyard as well.

Dates | 11th July – 12th July 2018
Where | Phyang Monastery

6. Dosmoche Festival

Picture Credits: Lynx Expeditions Ladakh

Another festival of Ladakh celebrated with great zeal, the Dosmoche is a must attend! The festival is a 2 day affair, organized in the starting and the end of the Tibetan New Year. The significance of the festival is to eradicate the evil and there are certain rituals and customs that the people follow, like the thread crosses are prepared as an offering to ward away evil spirits and get ready to welcome the New Year. Sacred mask dances, drama and unique rituals are performed by the lamas. The Leh Palace during the festival is a sight for the eyes!

Dates | 13th February – 14th February 2018
Where | Leh Palace, Likir, Nubra Valley

7. Thiksey Gustor Festival

This 2 day festival is one of the most loved festivals of Ladakh. It takes place at the Thiksey Monastery, and celebrates the end of bad things. The first day comprises of the monks offering chants and charms to the gods. Sacred rituals are performed by the Black Hat Dancers on the second day along with the cutting of the sacrificial cake, marking the end of the festival.

Dates | 6th November – 7th November 2017
Where | Thiksey Monastery, Leh Manali Highway, Thiksey

8. Yuru Kabgyat Festival

Picture Credits: Lynx Expeditions Ladakh

Held at the Lamayuru Monastery in Leh, this festival is a 2 day affair. Like many other festivals, the monks of the monastery perform traditional dances, chants, prayers in order to bring peace to the world. You've got to experience it for yourselves.

Dates | 11th June – 12th June 2018
Where | Lamayuru Monastery, 125 Kms From Leh, B.P.O Khaltse

If you’re planning to go to Ladakh, plan your trip accordingly and be a part of the festivities!