Karsha Gu-stor and Phyang Tse-dup Festivals

Highlights

This tour offers an exciting overland journey to Zanskar where the first of the two festivals is held. A visit to this secluded Shangri-la is a memorable experience even if no major festival were to be part of this journey. The second festival takes place just west of Leh, the capital of Ladakh, at Phyang. Between the two festivals, and along with visits to other major monasteries of the region, the tour accounts for one of the most dramatic overland festival tours spanning the regions of the isolated Zanskar, the Suru Valley and the Indus river valley. Karsha Gu-stor festival, commemorating the victory of good over evil, takes place at the largest Geluk-pa, Yellow Hat, monastery in Zanskar. It is also Zanskar's largest in terms of resident monks, counting more than 100 lamas. The monastery is built on a steep mountainside rising above the village of Karsha, a spectacular site some 12 kilometers from Padum, Zanskar's ancient capital. Gu-stor sacred dances or 'chhams' are held to commemorate the birthday of Tsongkha-pa, the founder of the Geluk-pa monastic order. The annual Tse-dup festival takes place at the Phyang Gompa, situated on a hill overlooking the Phyang village. The sacred dance-drama of the resident monks culminates with ritual burning of the votive offerings. On the occasion of this auspicious event, the huge antique thanka painting of Skyabje Jigten Gombo, the founder of the Dri-gung-pa monastic order, is exhibited for the public every 3rd year. Phyang Gompa is one of the best maintained gompas in Ladakh and lies only 17 kilometers west of Leh.