LOSAR
How Ladakh got its New Year
This New Year festival has an interesting history. In the 17th century, King Jamyang Namgyal decided to lead an expedition against [...]

GALDEN NAMCHOT
Tsongkhapa’s Birthday and Buddhahood
This socio-religious event is celebrated to observe the birthday and the Buddhahood or Tsongkhapa - the Tibetan saint-scholar who [...]

PHYANG TSEDUP
Phyang is one of the two Dringungpa Monasteries in Ladakh.
This monastery, 17 km west of Leh, holds its festival in July/August. [...]

YURU KAGBYAT
An awesome spectacle
This 2-day festival is celebrated during July, in the spectacularly situated monastery of Lamayuru, about 127 kms west of Leh.
The masks worn by the lamas during the dances represent [...]

HEMIS TSE-CHU
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 [...]

MATHO NAGRANG
The festival of the blindfolded acrobatic oracle monks
On the 15th day of the 1st Tibetan month Monastery - the only Saskyapa monastic establishment in Ladakh. During this festival, the two [...]

STOCK GURU TSE-CHU
When even laymen can predict the future
Yet another festival of oracles, this is held in Stock, the present seat of royal residence. The two Stock oracles - unlike [...]

DOSHMOCHE
Masked dances in the royal courtyard
An ancient tradition started by the Kings of Ladakh, Dosmoche is till celebrated every year in February with great pomp and fervour. [...]

SPITOK GUSTOR ZANSKAR
The victory of Black hat dancers over evil
Gustor literally means ‘Sacrifice of the 29th day’. it is traditional to the monasteries of the reformist Geluk-pa order of Tibetan Buddhism. [...]

FESTIVAL OF LOSAR :
Winter is a fascinating time to be in Ladakh. Losar -this spectacular festival celebrates the Ladakhi/Tibetan new year. Festivities last for 2 weeks during December or January,depending on the Lunar calander . Witness ancient rituals,the stage fights between good & evil, chanting and passing through the crowds with fire torches. The [...]