Monastic festivals in Ladakh are vibrant and culturally significant events celebrated with great enthusiasm. Here are some of the popular monastic festivals in Ladakh:
- Hemis Festival: Hemis Festival is one of the most famous monastic festivals in Ladakh. It takes place at Hemis Monastery, the largest and wealthiest monastery in the region. The festival commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism.
- Dosmoche: Dosmoche, also known as the “Festival of the Scapegoat,” is celebrated in the Nubra Valley. It is a two-day festival held in February and involves masked dances, prayers, and rituals to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.
- Losar Festival: Losar is the Tibetan New Year festival celebrated across Ladakh with great zeal. It marks the beginning of the Tibetan lunar calendar year and is a time for family gatherings, feasts, and religious ceremonies.
- Matho Nagrang Festival: Matho Nagrang Festival is held at Matho Monastery and features a unique Oracle ritual. During the festival, two monks become oracles and are believed to be possessed by deities. They perform dramatic and energetic masked dances, accompanied by traditional music.
- Phyang Tsedup: Phyang Tsedup is a grand monastic festival celebrated at Phyang Monastery. It showcases vibrant mask dances, religious rituals, and cultural performances. The festival attracts both locals and tourists, providing a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Ladakh.
- Lamayuru Monastery Festival: Lamayuru Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh, hosts an annual festival that showcases traditional mask dances, music, and religious ceremonies. The festival provides an opportunity to witness the unique cultural traditions of the region.
These are just a few examples of the monastic festivals celebrated in Ladakh. Each festival has its own significance and offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the rich Buddhist culture and traditions of the region.
List of festivals of Ladakh is mentioned below. Mostly are associated with monasteries/religious events.
| Festival name | Location | Dates/Month/ 2022 | Dates/Month/ 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spituk Gustor | Spituk Monastery | 30-31 Jan | 19-20 Jan |
| Dosmochey | Leh, Likir, Diskit | 28-01 Mar | 18-19 Feb |
| Stok guru Tsedhu | Stok Palace | 11-12 Mar | 28-01 Mar |
| Matho Nagrang | Matho Monastery | 17-18 Mar | 06-07 Mar |
| Shey Rtub La | Shey Monastery | 01 Apr | 21 Mar |
| Saka Dawa | All over Ladakh | 14 Jun | 04 Jun |
| Sindhu Mela | Leh | —- | —– |
| Yuru Kabryad | Lamayuru Monastery | 26-27 Jun | 16-17 Jun |
| Hemis Tsishu | Hemis Monastery | 09-10 Jul | 28-29 Jun |
| Shachukul Kabgyat | Shachukul Monastery | 15-16 Jul | 05-06 Jul |
| Phyang Tseroop | Phyang Monastery | 26-27 Jul | 15-16 Jul |
| Korzok Gustor | Korzok Monastery | 31-01 Aug | 20-21 Jul |
| Takthok Tseshu | Takthok Monastery | 07-08 Aug | 28-29 Jul |
| Ladakh Festival | Leh town | xx-xx Sep | xx-xx Sep |
| Diskit Gustor | Diskit Monastery | 23-24 Oct | 12-13 Oct |
| Thiksey Gustor | Thiksey Monastery | 11-12 Nov | 31-01 Nov |
| Chemrey Wangchok | Chemrey Monastery | 21-22 Nov | 11-12 Nov |
| Galdan Namchot | All over Ladakh | 18 Dec | 07 Dec |
| Ladakhi Losar (New Year) | All over Ladakh | 24 Dec | 13 Dec |
