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Visit one of Ladakh's most famous festivals |
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 India
Tours main page
Ladakh Tours main page |
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Tour highlights |
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The
Gu-stor tradition begins with a ceremony in which liquid offering is presented
to invite the gods of the four quarters to witness the sacred dances and protect
all living beings from the evil spirits. The resident lamas of the Thiksey
monastery, wearing masks of various divinities, which include the guardians of
law or 'Dharmapalas', and patron divinities of the Geluk-pa monastic order, in
closing of the 2-day festival ritually dismember with the help of ritual weapons
a 'sacrificial figure' molded from dough is in a ceremony called Dao-Tulva '
that symbolizes the banishment of the enemies of the religion (as well as the
assassination of the Tibetan apostate King Lang-dar-ma by a Buddhist monk during
the mid 9th century), also referred to as the 'killing of the enemy.' Its pieces
are then dispersed in the 4 cardinal directions. The last act of the monastic
dance is the burning of an effigy symbolizing the stronger forces of evil (Stor-ma).
Thiksey, only 19 km from Leh, is perhaps the most visited monastery after Hemis,
on account of its excellent maintenance and impressive Potala-like location,
along the rising slopes of a hill, overlooking many picturesque villages strung
along the Indus river. Founded about 550 years ago on the site of an earlier
Kadam-pa establishment, today it is a major Geluk-pa monastery with about 100
Lamas on its rolls and several branch monasteries affiliated to it. The mystic
dances here are considered to be among the most impressive in Ladakh.
The
victory of Black hat dancers over evil
Gustor literally means 'Sacrifice of the 29th day'. it is traditional to the
monasteries of the reformist Geluk-pa order of Tibetan Buddhism. This two-day
ling festival is held mainly in the Spituk, Thiksay and Karsha (Zanskar)
monasteries, at different times every year.
The celebration ends with the dismemberment and dispersal of the 'Storma'
(sacrificial cake) by the leader of the Black Hat dancers in a ceremony called 'Argham'
of 'Killing'. This symbolises the destruction of all forms of evil. And also
re-enacts the assassination of the Tibetan apostate King Lang-dar-ma, by a
Buddhist monk in the mid 9th century. In some monasteries, an effigy symbolising
the strong forces of evil is burnt at the end of the festival. The masks worn by
the dancers represent the guardian divinities (Dharmapalas) of the Buddhist
pantheon, and the patron divinities of the Geluk-pa order. |
Itinerary:
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Day 1 |
Early
morning flight Delhi to Leh, transfer to hotel and rest.
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Day 2
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Morning
sightseeing - Shanti Stupa, Sangkar and Tsemo Gompas; afternoon rest.
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Day
3
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Day trip to
Hemis gompa, with stops at Matho, Stakna, and Chemde monasteries.
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Day
4 |
Nov 8 Thiksey Gustor; overnight in Leh.
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Day
5 |
Nov 9 Thiksey Gustor;
overnight in Leh.
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Day
6 |
Day trip to Likir and Alchi monasteries.
Overnight in Leh.
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Day
7 |
Full day at your own leisure.
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Day
8 |
Return flight to Delhi;
depart India.
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What's included & What is not: |
Included
in Land Cost:
-Accommodation on twin sharing basis in one of Leh's
best hotels
-breakfasts & dinners while in Leh
-All meals while away from Leh.
-All transfers / transportation per itinerary
-Services of knowledgeable English speaking guide
-Monument entrance fees
Excluded
from Land Cost:
-International ticketing
-India domestic airfare
-Airport tax & Excess baggage charges
-Personal expenses - laundry, room service, phone
calls, etc.
-Medical, Evacuation and Trip Cancellation
Insurance.
-Any
or all other services not mentioned above. |
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November 28-29, 07
Private Tours
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If you'd like to customize
this itinerary & run it as
your own Private Tour on
dates you select, email us! |
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Costs |
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Quote on Request
2 pax from:
$399 Per Pax
8 days / 7 nights
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Difficulty Level |
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n/a |
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