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STOK GURU TSECHU
Stok Guru Tsechu is a vibrant festival held at Stok Monastery, approx. 16 km from Leh, on the 9th and 10th of the first Tibetan month. Attendees witness the spectacle of oracles entering trances to perform ancient rituals and offer prophetic advice. This spiritual event draws crowds seeking insights and blessings. The dates vary every year in accordance with Guru Padmasambhava’s birthday. It is be....
Stok Guru Tsechu is a vibrant festival held at Stok Monastery, approx. 16 km from Leh, on the 9th and 10th of the first Tibetan month. Attendees witness the spectacle of oracles entering trances to perform ancient rituals and offer prophetic advice. This spiritual event draws crowds seeking insights and blessings. The dates vary every year in accordance with Guru Padmasambhava’s birthday. It is believed that seven oracles inhabit Ladakh, two of which manifest themselves through chosen ones in Stok each year. The chosen oracles undergo a severe month-long retreat where they are prohibited from eating meat. On the day of the festival, the oracles go into a trance and dance along the rooftops of the monastery in flowing white costumes.
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Activities
Ladakh’s Stok Guru Tsechu Festival is celebrated in the village of Stok, a short distance from Leh, in the first month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. The dates vary every year in accordance with Guru Padmasambhava’s birthday. It is believed that seven oracles inhabit Ladakh, two of which manifest themselves through chosen ones in Stok each year. The chosen oracles undergo a severe month-long retreat where they are prohibited from eating meat. On the day of the festival, the oracles go into a trance and dance along the rooftops of the monastery in flowing white costumes. The villagers bow their heads in prayer, offer Chang (locally brewed rice beer) and Tsampa (roasted barley flour), and await the predictions for the year ahead. This is not like most festivals in India, photography is restricted and it is a rare privilege to witness this ancient tradition and learn of the rise of Buddhism through the vanquishing of demons in the Ladakh valley.
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Organized By
CHAKZOD
President
STOK MONASTERY
0198225297
adtleh[at]gmail[dot]com
How to reach
The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport,
which is 28 KMs away.
The nearest convenient railway station is Tawi, Railway Station,
which is 700 KMs away.
The nearest major city is Leh,
which is 25KMs away.
