The beauty of Leh is beyond Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley. The charisma of Leh lies in the cultural heritage concealed in the mountains. The alluring monasteries, the endless winding lanes and Dharma wheels on every corner of the streets depict the mystique aura of Ladakh. From ancestral houses to artistically crafted temples on the mountains, Leh will compel your heart to stay there forever.
The five day long flamboyant Naropa festival comes to an end recently on 20th September after traditional dance performances and excellent concerts by popular Bollywood singers. With the backdrop of mountains and an adjacent monastery, the stage was set perfectly for such massive crowd gatherings and successive performances.
How to Reach
One can stay in Leh city from where the place is easily accessible. The festival took place in a plateaued region surrounded by rocky terrains close to the Hemis monastery (3 km away). One can book a cab from the main city to reach the place. There are enough options to enjoy native delicacies and one can indulge in shopping of local items.
Cost of the Festival
Tickets costs around 6500 INR for 5 days but if you want to drop by you can get glimpses of the festival standing in a crowd from far.
Daily Proceedings
The festival is celebrated to celebrate the life of eminent scholar Naropa who lived around 1100 CE. The week-long festival witnessed uncovering of largest Buddhist painting, called Thangka (85 feet long) crafted by skilled Buddhist monks. The cloth has silk embroidered all over it.
Though this festival is celebrated after every 12 years this time it is done after 2 years for those because many could not attend the 2016 proceedings.
The festival inaugurated with chants and prayers by venerable monks of Hemis and Chemsday. It is followed by a grand religious procession of Holy Relics accompanied by monks, nuns of Drukpa Lineage and local devotees. The fully covered relics were taken around Naro Photang amidst so much of chantings and prayers. The Relics is finally unveiled on the second day of the festival and soon it is open for all local people to have a glance of that Holy Relic. The festival is attended by eminent personalities across the globe. The opening speech was given by His Eminence Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche praying for the wellness of all living beings.
One of the prominent features of the whole festival is the launch of Naropa Fellowship program founded by HE Thuksey Rinpoche and many other eminent members. The festivals presided by President and chairperson of significant organizations.
Guinness World Record
The main highlight of the festival is the Guinness World Record trial for a synchronized dance performance consisting most number of women. A total of 299 women aged between 18 and 60 wearing heavy coat called "gonchas" with "Petrak" headwear at a height of 4500m. Swapnil Dangarikar, the official for Guiness Book of World records scrutinized the event and announced it as the "Largest Ladakhi Dance" called "Shondol" by Live to Love Drupka Charitable Trust and Drukpa Association.
Fun Activities at the Naropa Festival
The popular archery competition held during the festival has a special significance in the livelihood of Ladakhis. Many popular archery names are from Ladakh. One will be amazed to see the enthusiasm of the people regarding the event participated by differently abled persons and girls.
The festival witnessed several dance forms starting from the first class of students of Naropa Fellowship to the elegant Kung Fu Nuns of the Drukpa family. The local people performed a vibrant Ladakhi dance which won many hearts in the arena.
The evening in the hills brought more fun and entertainment for the people visiting the event. Famous Bollywood singers swayed the crowds in their frivolous tunes. The singers include the big names of Sonu Nigam, Arti kakkar, Kailash Kher and many more.
