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Losar
Highlights |
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While snows isolate the high
valleys and fields are frozen solid, everyone in Ladakh gets ready for the
biggest holiday of the year, Losar, the New Year festivities. A celebration of
more than a week filled with dances, evenings spent in telling of legends, days
of horse races, ritual ceremonies and of walks under torches connecting the
people and their houses, these auspicious events are a testimonial to how
closely interwoven is the Ladakhi culture with Buddhism.
Preparations for Losar start by the end of the harvest period when people start stocking
provisions, sheep and goats for the customary feasts as well as grain for
brewing 'chang' (a local barley beer). New clothes and jewellery are kept ready
for the occasion.
The festivities start on the 29th day of the 10th months with the illumination
of buildings and shrines. Sheep and goats reserved for the occasion are ritually
slaughtered to begin the series of evening feasts for all relatives by rotation.
Images of ibex and other auspicious symbols are put on the door, walls of the
kitchen and the top-end of is central wooden column. The ibex is a symbol of
fertility and is believed to bring prosperity. Small images of ibex moulded from
dough are arranged on kitchen shelves to add to the good luck.
In the evening, the 'Metho' ceremony takes place. The bazaars of Leh and the
streets of villages get lit up as processions bearing flaming torches pass
through with the people chanting slogans to chase out evil spirits and hungry
ghosts - the result of bad Karma (one's deeds). Whirling torches create a
fantastic display of fire and light. At the end of it all, the torches are
thrown well outside the town to bid farewell to the old year and to welcome the
new one. |
Itinerary:
Day 1: Delhi -Leh
and rest.
Day 2:
Sightseeing
around Leh; 7PM witness the "grand illumination of fire
festival".
Day 3:
Join in as local
people partake in auspicious visits of each other's
households, a festive and joyous occasion that
solidifies ancient bond among families and all people of
Ladakh.
Day 4:
Sightseeing
Phyang, Alchi and Likir monasteries; then continue to
Hemis Shukpachan; overnight in local house.
Day 5:
Horse racing in
the village.
Day 6:
Visit Ridzong
Monastery, join village people at the dance festival in
the monastery; overnight in monastery with village
people.
Day 7:
Pay homage to
the monastery, then join the locals in the village for
another night of dancing and festivities.
Day 8:
People visit
each others' families to pay respect and we join them.
Day 9:
See the ancient
King and Queen dance.
Day 10:
See a drama
dance.
Day 11:
The last day of
the religious festival - storma - when all bad and evil
things are forced out of the village and the site of the
dance festival.
Day 12:
Return back to Leh and rest.
Day 13:
Fly Leh - Delhi.
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