INDIA is well known for its cultural diversity, festivals and rituals. Leh where pure and vibrant atmosphere gives the idea of what heaven could be like is going to celebrate an enigmatic, ancient the very old festival at the frozen heights of The Himalayas. The amidst barrenness this land turns into a colorful rainbow, and the low populated area becomes chaotic opening up to rejoice and celebrate the “LEH-FESTIVAL”.
Leh-Festival is celebrated every year from 1st of September to 15th of September. This festival has a long history, as it was the trade route for china from Europe across Trans Asia to trade silk. The traders use to play polo and archery as mark of friendship. It was then initiated and officially organized by the government about two and a half decades ago in 1985. Since then the people from nearby villages and from all around the world reach here to celebrate and feel the cultural heritage of this place. People from Europe; America; and U. K. are prominent visitors. The purity of nature and peace of the monasteries lure people to this place and some of the activities they enjoy in the place are trekking, cycling, hiking and camping.
Band and Bangs at Leh Festivals
The inaugural function kicks off with different regional artists performing their regional/traditional arts like singing and dancing in their traditional attires (silk gowns and masks) to the tune of traditional musical instruments. Folk and traditional performances happen at the event from by troupes from different villages. The whole town becomes a marketplace where you can see people dancing and rejoicing and traditions of the Himalayan land are visible and most palpable. Unlike some other festivals, the participants are more in this festival as compared to the viewers.
Leh festival
Different Games at Leh Festival
The festival starts on a high note with a bang. After the singing and dancing, the traditional games come into play. The traditional games of the region are Polo and Archery. It is mandatory for men to participate in the archery to prove their worth. The big art and craft display reflects the richness of the heritage in the Himalayas and the food during the festival is drool worthy. The regional food is preferred over others. The monasteries participate in the festival with their own varied ethnic dances and costumes particular to different sects. There are several monasteries in the region and on the way to Leh. The different ethnic groups from the region perform for 15 days. Tourists come here to see the tradition, beauty, peace, and to be a part of the festival.
Leh Ladakh
To feel this “out of the world experience” the only thing you need, is to pack up your bags and catch a flight/train/bus leading you to LEH, Ladakh. The best time to visit Leh is from May to September as the snow melts and roads are open for the tourists. A flight can be grabbed from Delhi or from Srinagar in J&K. There are two road routes Manali-Keylong-Darcha-Leh and Srinagar-Drass-Kargil-Leh. In the way you will be traversing at the highest motor-able road in the world as well as pass by high altitude blue lakes through in incredible landscape of cold desert interspersed with heavenly fertile valleys.
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