Monastery Festivals
Annually, there are some events happening in Ladakh related to the hundreds of monasteries in the region. The natives will eagerly wait for this time of the year when all the monasteries will be decorated and long days of festivities take place. Almost all the festivals are celebrated to commemorate the establishment of the monastery or the birth anniversary of the saint or patron of the monastery. Major events of the monastery are fixed according to the Tibetan Calendar. The locals believe these festivals are a moment of gathering, a moment of equality and happiness unlimited.
Though there will be a number of events, the dance-dramas known as Chhams are the attraction of any festival for that matter. The choreography of the dance is awesomely done by Chham Spon. The coloured masks using in the dance enhances the overall beauty of it.
The rites and rituals which are specially designed for the festivals will be conducted by the Rimpoche or the head lama. In the courtyard, the throne for the lama will be arranged and he sits on that high throne and leads the rituals. The other lamas in the monastery and the monk musicians will attend the festival wearing the ceremonial attire. The accompaniment of traditional music by using trumpets, large drums, wind instruments and cymbals will add on more beauty to the colourful festival.
Spituk Gustor, Dosmochey, Yargon Tungshak, Stok Guru Tsechu, Hemis Tsechu, Korzok Gustor, Karsha Gustor etc are some of the famous monastery festivals. All of them have unique reason and the dates of each festival fall on different months depending upon the Tibetan Calendar. The bright colours, the special items used for the rituals, the dance and music and the themes of each festival are together playing an important role in the lives of Ladakhis.
Location: Any monastery in Ladakh will have their own festival annually.
When to go: The time and date of each festival are depending on the Tibetan Calendar.
Monastery Festivals
Annually, there are some events happening in Ladakh related to the hundreds of monasteries in the region. The natives will eagerly wait for this time of the year when all the monasteries will be decorated and long days of festivities take place. Almost all the festivals are celebrated to commemorate the establishment of the monastery or the birth anniversary of the saint or patron of the monastery. Major events of the monastery are fixed according to the Tibetan Calendar. The locals believe these festivals are a moment of gathering, a moment of equality and happiness unlimited.
Though there will be a number of events, the dance-dramas known as Chhams are the attraction of any festival for that matter. The choreography of the dance is awesomely done by Chham Spon. The coloured masks using in the dance enhances the overall beauty of it.
The rites and rituals which are specially designed for the festivals will be conducted by the Rimpoche or the head lama. In the courtyard, the throne for the lama will be arranged and he sits on that high throne and leads the rituals. The other lamas in the monastery and the monk musicians will attend the festival wearing the ceremonial attire. The accompaniment of traditional music by using trumpets, large drums, wind instruments and cymbals will add on more beauty to the colourful festival.
Spituk Gustor, Dosmochey, Yargon Tungshak, Stok Guru Tsechu, Hemis Tsechu, Korzok Gustor, Karsha Gustor etc are some of the famous monastery festivals. All of them have unique reason and the dates of each festival fall on different months depending upon the Tibetan Calendar. The bright colours, the special items used for the rituals, the dance and music and the themes of each festival are together playing an important role in the lives of Ladakhis.
Location: Any monastery in Ladakh will have their own festival annually.
When to go: The time and date of each festival are depending on the Tibetan Calendar.
Suggested Read: Leh Ladakh Tour Packages
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