Ladakh is home to several ancient Buddhist Monasteries, each with their own legends and certain traditions. And nowhere are these legends and traditions more apparent than at the annual festivals these monasteries hold each year.

These colourful and enchanting festivals give you an insight into the ancient history and traditions of Ladakh, something that is becoming less and less apparent in ever modernizing society of Ladakh.

Here is the calendar of festivals which will be held at various monasteries in Ladakh and Zanskar this year.

Spituk Gustor: 25-26 January 2017
Leh and Likir Dosmochey: 24-25 February 2017
Yargon Tungshak: 2-3 March 2017
Stok Guru Tsechu: 6-7 March 2017
Matho Nagrang: 11-12 March 2017
Saka Dawa: 9 June 2017
Yuru Kabgyat: 21-22 June 2017
Hemis Tsechu: 3-4 July 2017
Sachkul Gustor: 11-12 July 2017
Stongday Gustor: 12-13 July 2017
Karsh Gustor: 21-22 July 2017
Phyang Tsesdup: 21-22 July 2017
Korzok Gustor: 26-27 July 2017
Dakthok Tsetsu: 2-3 August 2017
Sani Nasjal: 6-7 August 2017
Diskit Gustor: 17-18 October 2017
Thiksay Gustor: 6-7 November 2017
Chemday Wangchok: 16-17 November 2017
Galdan Namcho: 12 December 2017

There is no better way to experience the culture and heritage of a region, than to attend one of its religious festivals. Ladakh being primarily a Buddhist region and home to numerous monasteries and appropriately called Land of the Lamas has many such festivals to offer to visitors, throughout the year.

Here is the Ladakh Monastic Festival Calendar for 2014, so that you too can take part in festivities and get to see and enjoy the real culture and heritage of Ladakh.

Spituk Gustor: 28-29th January
Likir Dosmochey: 27-28th February
Stok guru Tseschu: 10-11th March
Matho Nagrang: 15-16th March
Saka Dawa: 13th June
Yuru Kabgyad: 24-25th June
Hemis Tseschu: 7-8th July
Shachukul Gustor: 14-15th July
Karsha Gustor: 23-24th July
Phyang Tserup: 24-25th July
Korzok Gustor: 30-31st July
Dakthok Tseschu: 6-7th August
Sani Naro Nasjal: 9-10th August
Thiksey Gustor: 9-10th November
Chemday Angchok: 20-21st November
Galdan Namchot: 16th December
Losar: 22nd December

Ladakh Festival is organized each year by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, in a bid to promote and represent Ladakh’s rich cultural heritage and will be held from 1st to 15th of September 2013.

During the 15 day long Ladakh Festival, various events like Polo Match, Village Archery, and Folk Dances are held along with monastic dances in the monasteries across Ladakh.

This gives an opportunity to travelers from India and Abroad to not only view the beautiful landscape of Ladakh in what is normally considered as lean season, but also see and experience the beautiful and rich cultural heritage of Ladakhis. And it isn’t just limited to areas in and around Leh, but across the Ladakh Tourist circuit like this small gathering of locals and tourists in Panamik Village in Nubra Valley, which I captured during one of my trips to Ladakh.

Add to that, places like Suru and Zanskar Valleys are at their beautiful best during the month of September, making it all the more enticing to visit Ladakh in this traditionally lean tourist month of September.

Ladakh is home to numerous monasteries. In fact it is for this very reason, Ladakh is often termed as the Land of the Lama and each year these monasteries come alive to celebrate their respective Monastic Festivals.

These Monastic Festivals not only represent the cultural, historic and religious side of Ladakh that is often hidden from a brief visitor but also give an opportunity to the locals to unwind from their harsh lives at this unforgiving land and pay their homage to the local deities and Buddha. Add to that, Ladakhis are very playful and cheerful people, who love to celebrate, even in the dead of winter, when the temperatures drop to as low as -30 degree Celsius!

Here is the 2013 Monastic Festival Calendar for some the main monasteries of Ladakh, where you too can be a part of the celebrations and enjoy the rich and ancient culture of Ladakh.

Spituk Gustor: 9th and 10 January
Likir Dosmochey: 8th and 9th February
Diskit Gustor: 8th and 9th February
Stok guru Tseschu: 19th and 20th February
Matho Nagrang: 24th and 25th February
Saka Dawa: 25th May
Yuru Kabgyad: 5th and 6th June
Hemis Tseschu: 18th and 19th June
Shachukul Gustor: 25th and 26th June
Stongde Gustor: 26th and 27th June
Karsha Gustor: 6th and 7th July
Phyang Tserup: 6th and 7th July
Korzok Gustor: 11th and 12 July
Dakthok Tseschu: 18th and 19th July
Sani Naro Nasjal: 21st and 22nd July
Thiksey Gustor: 20th and 21st November
Chemday Angchok: 30th and 1st November
Galdan Namchot: 27th December