HEMIS FESTIVAL

One of the largest and richest Buddhist monasteries, the Hemis Gompa in Ladakh organizes its annual Hemis festival on the 10th day of the Tibetan lunar month. This festival is being held to commemorate the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. 

The locals and monks dress up during the festival in traditional clothes. Here men wear cummerbunds and women wear beautiful headgears and ample jewelry. 

LOSAR FESTIVAL

Losar is one among the most popular festivals of Ladakh. It is a diversity of performances, cultural events and rituals. The tone for celebration is set with holy fire, the chant of mantras, and colorful robes for the Losar festival in Ladakh. As per the Tibetan calendar, the event falls usually in the month of February.

SINDHU DARSHAN

Celebrated on a full moon night in the month of June, Sindhu Darshan is a three-day festival to observe the river Indus as a figure of communal harmony and unity in India. While encouraging tourism in Ladakh, it is also esteemed as a proud salute to the brave soldiers who have battled bravely for the people’s safety. This festival is a must attend when you are on your Ladakh road trip. 

PHYANG TSEDUP FESTIVAL

Usually taking place on the 2nd and 3rd day of the 6th month of the Tibetan Calendar, the Phyang Tsedup Festival which usually falls in the months of July or August is one of the most beautiful and must visit festivals of Ladakh. These months are best suited for Leh Ladakh bike trip tour.

In the celebrations of this phyang Tsedup festival, we will be able to witness monks wearing colorful brocade robes and masks so as to perform traditional dances with rich costumes to venerate and worship their deity.

DOSMOCHE FESTIVAL

This is an annual two-day event that is celebrated as the last festival of the Tibetan New Year celebrations. Dosmoche festival was first started by the royal families in Ladakh to destroy the evil around them. It is celebrated in the Diskit Monasteries and Leh, Likir. And also, the Leh Dosmoche festival of Ladakh is the most popular festival.

SAKA DAWA FESTIVAL

Saka Dawa festival is one of the best and most important festivals of Ladakh. This festival is marked to be one of the holiest Buddhist holidays. It is celebrated in June, the fourth month in the Tibetan calendar. This month is known to be the month when Buddha was born and received spiritual awakening or Nirvana. Being a part of this festival is one of the best things to do in Leh.

The term ska holds the meaning month and data means star. It is strongly united with the full moon of the fourth lunar month. Every year, on this day, the lamas of close monasteries change the Tarboche flagpole, which is found in the South of the mountain, Kailash Kora. The people there believe that after the changing of the pole, if it does not stand straight, it is not auspicious by Tibetans.

During this festival, the people there avoid doing a few things like the killing of animals, rather, they set them free for the day. It is also observed that lamas chanting the mantras ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ meaning ‘hail to the jewel and the lotus’.

TAK TOK FESTIVAL

This Festival is celebrated at TakThok Gompa which is a cave and is among the main festivals of Ladakh. Tak Tok festival is carried out with huge pomp and fanfare and locals. Tourists from distant areas come to the place on this occasion. 

It is celebrated by the dances of lamas, the mask dance and the religious offerings that are made to the Lord. In the early morning hours prayers are done.

MATHO NAGRANG FESTIVAL

This festival witnesses monks dressed like various Ladakhi Gods and Goddesses. Matho Nagrang is a two-day programme and is a huge attraction among locals as it sees the return of two oracles who spend a month meditating in isolation. 

They are entertained by masked dancers as they make their coveted look. Their clothes include silk robes and masks.

THIKSEY GUSTOR

Gustor is translated as ‘sacrificing the 29th date’. Starts with chants and charms this 2-day festival is offered to god by the monks residing at the monastery. This is one of the much adored Ladakh festivals that recalls the truth that all bad things must come to an end. One of the Key attractions is that the second day includes the sacred ritual done by the ‘Black Hat Dancers’ and a dough cutting program of the sacrificial cake. 

YURU KABGYAT

The spiritual beauty of the Lamayuru monastery along with the celebration of Yuru Kabgyat makes it one of the main attractions for visitors in the month of July. This 2 day Leh Ladakh festival brings people of Lamayuru together where they imitate the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism by singing and dancing in a traditional pattern.

The attraction of these dance dramas are the religious direction of Buddha, and colorful ethnic dresses worn by the monks during the festival.