Festivals of Ladakh

Hemis Festival is one of the most popular and grandest festivals celebrated in Ladakh, held annually at the Hemis Monastery, located about 45 kilometers from Leh. The festival commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. During the festival, monks perform mesmerizing cham dances wearing elaborate costumes and vibrant masks, accompanied by traditional music and chanting.

Venue: Hemis Monastery.
Dates: 16th June 2024; 17th June 2024.

Losar, the Ladakhi New Year, is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm in Ladakh, marking the beginning of the Tibetan lunar calendar. The festivities last for several days and include traditional rituals, prayers, and cultural performances. Homes and monasteries are adorned with colorful prayer flags, and families come together to offer prayers, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional delicacies. Losar is a time of renewal, reflection, and gratitude, as people bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new with hope and optimism.

Dates: Fri, 28 Feb, 2025 – Sun, 2 Mar, 2025

Ladakh Festival is a vibrant celebration of Ladakh's cultural diversity, showcasing its rich heritage through music, dance, art, and cuisine. Organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, the festival features traditional performances, folk dances, polo matches, archery competitions, and handicraft exhibitions. Visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Ladakhi culture, interact with local artisans, and savor authentic Ladakhi cuisine during the festival.

Dates: September 2024

Dosmoche, also known as the "Festival of the Scapegoat," is a traditional winter festival celebrated in Ladakh to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity to the community. The festival features masked dances, music, and rituals performed by monks to appease deities and ensure a bountiful harvest and prosperity for the coming year. The highlight of Dosmoche is the burning of a large wooden structure symbolizing the destruction of evil forces, followed by feasting and merry-making.

Dates: 7th & 8th February 2025

Sindhu Darshan Festival is an annual celebration held along the banks of the Indus River in Ladakh, symbolizing the unity in diversity of India's cultural heritage. The festival attracts pilgrims, tourists, and dignitaries from across the country who gather to pay homage to the sacred river and participate in cultural activities and rituals. The highlight of the festival is the Sindhu Pooja (worship of the river), where devotees offer prayers and perform rituals to honor the Indus River, which holds immense significance in Indian culture and history.

Dates: June 2024

The Oracle Matho Nagrang Festival is held at the Matho Monastery or Matho Gompa in Ladakh in the first month of the Tibetan new year. It is believed that two oracles, or Ronstang, inhabit the bodies of two specially chosen monks to predict the future of the village and individual villagers. Such traditions might seem unbelievable to the outsiders, but for the people living here, it's a way of life. Matho Nagrang Festival is one of the most important festivals of the Tibetan Buddhism Sakya School which like other Tibetan festivals, is celebrated with great pomp and show.

Dates: 23rd February 2025 to 24th February 2025.