Festival of the year in Lamayuru
June is not very typical time to visit Ladakh, but it has several advantages – peaks of the surrounding mountains are still dusted with snow and thus do not look as dry as in the peak season in late summer. Additionally, you can visit two-day festival Yuru Kabgyat in Lamayuru full of dance and buddhist masks.
Festival Yuru Kabgyat
The festival takes place in the courtyard between gompa and multi-level hotel, which builds on it. Except for the crowds of locals watching several hours endless dance of masks and spinning prayer wheels you will meet here, oddly enough (festival takes place outside the main tourist season) a lot of tourists who come here specifically for this event.
Captivated watching of the festival
While foreign tourists think more of how best to take pictures of everything and basically do not know anything about the festival, the locals watch the whole program for long hours with an absolute passion.
Hotel directly at the gompa
The main events of the festival take place on the patch between unnecessarily monumental hotel /at least in the same architectural style/ and gompa. The hotel is rather overpriced (considering local conditions) and has guests rather from organized tours rather than backpackers. Its only advantage is the view from the room of all the events.
Parade of masks
The masks abound with all colors.
Masks in the festival
Festival is truly breathtaking, but very long.
Playing the gigantic pipe
Mighty honking sounds in the monastery several times.
Prayer wheels
A break in the festival program can be used, for example, for turning the nearby prayer wheels.
Chortens in Lamayuru
After watching the festival it is a good idea to walk through the whole gompa , the old town below and take a circuit trip around the neighborhood – all worth it.
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Article: Trip to Lamayuru
Very interesting stop while traveling around Ladakh is the monastery and the ancient town of Lamayuru. Whether you come here for… continue reading