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Festivals in Ladakh brighten up the cold, mountain landscape with hues of happiness and vibrancy. Although the region is otherwise famous for monasteries, scenery, and religious lifestyle, it shines all the more during festivals. Infused with ritual, prayer, song, and dances, the festivals become unforgettable to all those who witness them. Moreover, the celebrations give you a chance to connect with the traditions of the local people. The colours of the costumes, the sound of instruments, and the energy of the crowd create an atmosphere that is both lively and spiritual. Additionally, festivals here carry a deep sense of faith, as they honour Buddhist teachings, nature, and community ties.
Top 10 Festivals In Ladakh
From the much-awaited thangka displays during the Hemis Festival to Tak Tok Monastery’s cave interiors, enjoy the charm of the most famous festivals of Ladakh.
1. Hemis Festival
Photo: Mai Tram / Shutterstock
The Hemis Festival is the largest and most renowned festival in Ladakh. It is held at Hemis Monastery, around 45 kilometres from Leh, and usually takes place in June or July. The event celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, who spread Buddhism in the region. The two-day event includes sacred Cham dances performed by monks in colourful masks and silk costumes. These dances tell stories about the victory of good over evil. The monastery courtyard is filled with the sounds of drums, trumpets, and cymbals. Hundreds of tourists and locals meet, and many booths are set up to sell food, crafts, and souvenirs.
Location: Hemis Monastery, 45 km from Leh
Major Attractions: Cham dances by monks, vibrant masks and silk robes, thangka display, Guru Padmasambhava celebrations
Suggested Read: Ladakh Harvest Festival
2. Losar Festival
Photo: Zoltan Szabo Photography / Shutterstock / Image For Representation Only
People in Ladakh celebrate the New Year with Losar, which is one of the most colourful events in the area. The 15-day event takes place every year in December or January. In the morning, families clean their homes to get rid of evil energy and bring in good luck. People make unique foods, such as khapse, a fried pastry, and chang, a local beer made from wheat. Monasteries have processions where monks dance while wearing masks that look like gods and spirits. Families get together to wish each other a happy New Year and share greetings. Prayer flags and butter lamps are used to decorate villages, making them feel bright and happy even though it’s cold outside.
Location: Across Ladakh, especially Leh and surrounding villages
Major Attractions: Traditional foods like khapse and chang, mask dances, home decorations with butter lamps and prayer flags
3. Dosmoche Festival
Photo: Goutam1962 / Wikimedia Commons
Dosmoche is celebrated in February at monasteries in Leh, Likir, and Diskit. It is also called the “Festival of the Scapegoat.” The festival is meant to drive away evil spirits and bring peace to the land. Monks prepare ritual offerings made of dough and butter, which are later destroyed to symbolise the end of negativity. The event has sacred Cham dances, where monks wear masks and robes to act out spiritual stories. Moreover, the monastery courtyards become lively as villagers gather to watch the dances and pray together. Traditional music adds to the festive atmosphere, while markets nearby sell food, handicrafts, and woollen clothes.
Location: Leh, Likir & Diskit Monasteries
Major Attractions: Ritual offerings (dough and butter), sacred Cham dances, spiritual cleansing traditions, winter village gathering
Suggested Read: Losar Festival 2025
4. Phyang Tsedup Festival
Photo: WikClick / Wikimedia Commons
Phyang Tsedup Festival takes place in July or August at Phyang Monastery, located about 15 kilometres from Leh. The festival honours Guru Padmasambhava with vibrant Cham dances, traditional music and prayers. Monks dressed in colourful masks perform dances that symbolise the fight between good and evil. Villagers and tourists gather in large numbers to witness the grand display of Ladakhi culture. A giant thangka of Guru Padmasambhava is unfurled during the celebration, which is considered auspicious in Ladakh. The festival is not just a religious event; it is also a social one because it brings people from all over Ladakh together.
Location: Phyang Monastery, 15 km from Leh
Major Attractions: Masked Cham dances, thangka unveiling, musical performances, spiritual storytelling
5. Matho Nagrang Festival
Photo: saiko3p / Shutterstock / Image For Representation Only
Matho Nagrang Festival is celebrated in March at Matho Monastery. It is one of the most unique festivals in Ladakh. The highlight of this festival is the tradition of oracles. Two monks, after long meditation and spiritual practice, are believed to be chosen as oracles and predict the future of the region. During the two-day festival, these oracles make their predictions in a trance-like state. Moreover, the event includes sacred Cham dances by monks wearing colourful robes and masks. The monastery courtyard becomes filled with locals who come to hear the predictions and take part in the prayers.
Location: Matho Monastery, near Leh
Major Attractions: Oracle predictions by monks, trance rituals, masked dances, spiritual ceremonies
Suggested Read: Matho Monastery
6. Sindhu Darshan Festival
Photo: Zoltan Szabo Photography / Shutterstock / Image For Representation Only
In June, the Sindhu Darshan Festival is held on the banks of the Indus River near Leh. Ladakh sees the Indus River as holy and important to its survival, and this event honors it. People from all over India and other countries come here to pray and take part in traditions. While the monks chant holy songs, cultural groups dance and sing. In addition, the festival brings people from many different groups together. The event is beautiful to look at because of the river and mountains in the background. Tourists also like going to the booths near the event site, where they can buy local food, crafts, and souvenirs.
Location: Banks of the Indus River, near Leh
Major Attractions: Cultural performances, Indus River worship, national unity celebrations, food and craft stalls
7. Ladakh Festival
Photo: Mai Tram / Shutterstock
The Ladakh Festival, held in September, is organised to promote the culture of the region. The week-long festival begins with a grand procession in Leh, where people dressed in traditional clothes take part in parades. Villagers perform folk dances and songs, giving visitors a glimpse of Ladakhi traditions. Moreover, sports like polo matches and archery competitions are organised, along with exhibitions of handicrafts. There are booths in the streets selling food, clothes, and gifts from the area. Not only does Leh celebrate the festival, but so do the nearby villages, making it a celebration for many places.
Location: Leh and surrounding villages
Major Attractions: Folk dances, polo matches, cultural processions, handicraft bazaars, archery contests
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Ladakh
8. Stok Guru Tsechu Festival
Photo: Arian Zwegers / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Stok Guru Tsechu Festival is held in February or March at Stok Monastery, near Leh. It is famous for its oracle tradition, where monks selected from Matho Monastery make predictions while believed to be possessed by deities. The event also includes Cham dances performed by monks in colourful robes and masks. Moreover, villagers gather in large numbers to attend the rituals and listen to the predictions. The festival becomes a vibrant event with music, prayers, and social gatherings. Moreover, it gives tourists a rare chance to witness a mix of spiritual rituals and cultural performances in one setting. The combination of prophecy, dance, and devotion makes Stok Guru Tsechu a fascinating event on the Ladakhi calendar.
Location: Stok Monastery, near Leh
Major Attractions: Oracle predictions, spiritual dances, masked rituals, social and religious gatherings
9. Yuru Kabgyat Festival
Photo: Steve Hicks / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Yuru Kabgyat Festival is celebrated in June or July at Lamayuru Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh. The festival honours Guru Padmasambhava and Yama, the Lord of Death. The main attraction is the Cham dance, where monks wear large masks and colourful robes to tell stories of good defeating evil. Moreover, the courtyard of the monastery becomes lively as locals and tourists come together to watch the performances. Rituals and prayers take place throughout the festival, adding to its spiritual depth. The location of Lamayuru Monastery makes the event visually stunning. Stalls selling food, woollen clothes, and handicrafts also attract visitors.
Location: Lamayuru Monastery, Ladakh
Major Attractions: Cham dances, spiritual storytelling, rituals honoring Yama & Padmasambhava, scenic monastery setting
Suggested Read: Lamayuru Monastery
10. Tak Tok Festival
Photo: IndiaAin / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Tak Tok Festival is held in July or August at Tak Tok Monastery in Sakti village near Leh. The monastery is unique because it is partly built inside a cave, which adds charm to the celebrations. The festival honouring Guru Padmasambhava lasts for two days. Monks perform Cham dances inside the cave-like hall, making the event very special. Moreover, the monastery courtyard is filled with devotees, villagers, and tourists enjoying the performances. Rituals, prayers, and the display of sacred paintings are also part of the event. Also, the locals put on their traditional clothing and come to celebrate together, making the festival both a cultural and social affair.
Location: Tak Tok Monastery, Sakti village near Leh
Major Attractions: Cave-set rituals, masked Cham dances, sacred painting displays, vibrant social gatherings
Festivals in Ladakh bring alive its rich culture, deep-rooted traditions, and strong community spirit. Each festival reflects the region’s spiritual essence and love for nature. With vibrant dances, music, colorful attire, and local cuisine, these celebrations offer an unforgettable experience. Attending them lets you truly connect with the soul of Ladakh. So, plan your journey around these festivals with TripXL and take home memories that last a lifetime.
Cover Photo: saiko3p / Shutterstock
