Cultural events at Ladakh fest attract tourists, locals

The four-day Ladakh festival, which began on Sunday, witnessed the showcasing of traditional, educational and cultural events, drawing participation from locals and tourists.

The visitors explored the exhibition on birds and mammals of Ladakh by the Birds Club and WWF, along with The Leh Book Worm – A Book Expo on Ladakh. Simultaneously, the Leh Palace hosted the ASI exhibition “From Ruins to Revival – Conservation & Archival Treasures,” highlighting Ladakh’s heritage and preservation efforts.

On the third day on Tuesday, Eco Park, Leh, became a hub of discovery with the showcasing of biodiversity of Ladakh, while school students brought energy and colour through captivating dance performances. At the Dharma Centre, Choglamsar, the audience witnessed the sacred Chams (mask dance) performance and a Thangka exhibition, reflecting Ladakh’s spiritual traditions.

Traditional practices were celebrated at the Shenam Gongma Community Hall, where Dafangs – traditional archery of Ladakh — was displayed offering visitors interactive experiences and selfie points in traditional attire. The Polo Ground, Leh, came alive with excitement during the polo match between Indus Polo Club, Chuchot, and Ldumra Polo Team, keeping Ladakh’s equestrian legacy at the heart of the festival.

Architectural experts shared insights on traditional architecture of Ladakh through talks and questions and answers sessions. Later, tourism documentaries and short films were screened at both Eco Park and the main market, offering visual journeys into Ladakh’s beauty and heritage.

As evening descended, the Leh Palace came alive with a spectacular light and sound show. At the same time, the main market hosted “Youthok Lamo” – a play by the Ladakh Theatre Organisation, which captivated audiences with its powerful storytelling.

Events on last day cancelled

The four-day Ladakh festival was cancelled on its last day — Thursday — due to the volatile situation in the region.