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