Dosmoche Festival Leh

Introduction

Dosmoche brings a lot of excitements to the people of Leh. Known as a prayer festival, Dosmoche was introduced by the rulers of Ladakh. The festival is very similar to the popular – Mon-Lam. It means “Great Prayer Ceremony of Lhasa. Celebrated with full enthusiasm, the festival showcases a group of folk dances with colourful masks on the faces of everyone.

Time for celebration

It comes as the last festival of the year as per the Tibetan calendar. The festival is celebrated on 28th and 29th of the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar and falls in the month of February as per the International calendar.

Significance

Like other popular festivals in Ladakh, Dosmoche is also celebrated for the winning of Good over Bad. It is also celebrated to drive off all evil spirits from the place and for the protection of people from the natural calamities in the coming year.

How is it celebrated?

During the celebration, a huge wooden mast is settled with sacred emblems outside Leh. At a fixed time, the ritual idols and offerings are brought out. As per the rituals, these idols are burnt. All of this happens in order to welcome the New Year. Spituk, Stok, Matho, and Chemrey all celebrate festivals in winter that come between November & March.

Lamas come in religious get-ups along with the Black Hat Dancers and local people with vibrant clothes which make the occasion ultimately spectacular. The performers match the steps on the beats of drums.

The mask-wearing Lamas from various Monasteries perform the holy dance in front of locals and outsiders. At the final time of the event, the Lamas destroy the sacrificial offerings in order to welcome the New Year.

Join a different type of celebration in the month of February with your friends or family. This is a celebration that takes place in cleaner air and warm-hearted people.