Spituk Gustor
Spituk Gustor Festival is a celebration of peace and prosperity. A symbol of traditional Ladakhi culture and traditions, this two-day festival showcases vibrantly colourful festivities. It is celebrated at the Spituk Monastery which is located approximately 8 km away from Leh. On the same day, the Geluk Pa Order of Tibetan Buddhism founded by Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) is also commemorated. The ann....
Spituk Gustor Festival is a celebration of peace and prosperity. A symbol of traditional Ladakhi culture and traditions, this two-day festival showcases vibrantly colourful festivities. It is celebrated at the Spituk Monastery which is located approximately 8 km away from Leh. On the same day, the Geluk Pa Order of Tibetan Buddhism founded by Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) is also commemorated. The annual festival is a winter celebration that aims at increasing brotherhood and friendship among believers. The mask dance, ‘Chams’ is one of the major attractions of the festival. Monks wearing colourful garbs perform enchanting dances, depicting different deities Paldan Lhamo, Mahakala, etc. This festival is observed during the 28th and 29th days of the 11th month of the Tibetan Calendar. In the local language, ‘Gustor’ means ‘Sacrifice of the 29th Day.’ The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. Seven days prior to the festival, prayers begin at the monastery. To celebrate the Spituk Gustor festival, the serene Spituk Monastery gets crowded with visitors from all over the world.
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Activities
1. Prayers
The charm and enthusiasm of the Spituk Gustor Festival can be felt way before it is observed. The prayers and worship start 7 days before the day of the festival.
2. Cham Dance
It is the famous dance of Ladakh that is performed in almost every Ladakh festival. Spituk Monastery also enjoys this dramatic dance form. In Cham Dance, Lamas wear animal masks (made from paper and clay) and beautiful spiky headgears which are usually in yellow color. The Cham Dance represents a drama that is based on the victory of good over evil. It is believed that the mask dance existed since the 8th century AD in Ladakh. It is performed in several ways including pair dancing, group dancing, solo dancing, etc.
3. Music
Cham Dance is supported by beautiful and melodious music and tunes of longhorns, cymbals, conch shells, bells, and many other instruments.
4. Get-together of Monks
The festival witnesses a number of monks across the world that including Stok, Sankar, Saboo, and Spituk congregate at the monastery.
5. Burning of Evil Effigy
The festival ends with the burning of evil effigies that represents the ultimate exister is good, not evil.
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Organized By
Spituk Monastery
President
Spituk Monastery
01982252297
adtleh[at]gmail[dot]com
How to reach
The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport,
which is 2 KMs away.
The nearest convenient railway station is Jammu Tawi,
which is 670 KMs away.
The nearest major city is Leh,
which is 3KMs away.
