Mask Dance In Ladakh - Enjoy Dazzling & Sizzling Mask Dance of Ladakh

About Mask & Folk Dance

Mask Dance are religious ceremonies which take place in the Buddhist monasteries of Ladakh Theses dances,which are the manifestation of good over evil and also reveal religious facets of the culture heritage of Ladakh, are performed by the monks of monasteries. During Ladakh Festival tourists also have an opportunity to see the monastic festivals.

Mask Dance In Hemis Festival

Hemis Festival is one of the famous festival of Ladakh. It is an extraordinary cultural fiesta to discover the best of Ladakh culture and heritage.

It is a buddhist festival and held in commemoration of the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. The two day peagent is marked with the victory of good over evil where local people are seen with their colourful attire. The festival is organized by Head of Lama. Hemis is colourful festival showcasing the beautiful handicrafts of the region. The festival is also famous for the "Devil Dances" that constitute an important element in the social entertainment of Ladakhis. The major attractions are the masked dances, that depicts the victory of right over the evil. "Chang" A country liquor is been served on this occasion.

The Hemis Festival is held every year in the Hemis Monastery, the biggest Buddhist monastery of Ladakh. It is celebrated on the tenth day of lunar month in the Tibetan calendar. The festival is celebrated in the commemoration of the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. During the festival, the Lamas gather around the central flagpole in the courtyard of the monastery and perform mask dances and sacred plays. Their performances are accompanied by the music from drums, cymbals and long horns.

Folk Song & Dance

Major & Core items of Ladakh Festival are the folk songs and dances of Ladakh, which reveal the culture heritage of the land wherein its history is hidden. These songs & dances have been passed on as oral and practical tradition from one generation to another. These items are presented to tourists in the from of music concerts. Folks artistes of Ladakh, male as well as female attired in full tradition coustems comprising of multiple jewellery items, especially turquoised head gears (worn by ladies), perform most exhilarating dances. The movement of dance privides experission of entire personality of the dancer. Each dance is started with a homage and gradually develops into the second stage. When the music and movement become faster, the dance reaches the third stage and then it ends. There are twelve main items which begin with Lharna. The Ladakh musicians claim to have 360 music tunes which are dedicated to Gods, Deities, Lamas, Kings & Ministries.The other eleven music items with song & Dance are Chapskyen Tses, Shondol, Mentok Stanmo, Spao Song, Chartses, Yak Tses, Marriage Song, Tashispa Song, Jabro Dance,Koshen Dance,nad Alay Yayto Wa Nishu Tsana Wa.

One of the popular dance forms of the state is the Mask Dance, performed during the Hemis festival in Ladakh by the Lamas of the Hemis monastery, A major attraction of Leh-Ladakh is the vibrant Ladakh Festival, comprising of mask dance and peacock dance