Amidst the barren yet breathtaking Himalayas exists the fragile and vibrant cultural landscape of Ladakh. Since 1985, the annual Ladakh Festival showcases ancient traditions and folk heritage that highlight the distinct Ladakhi cultural ethnicity that is foreign to the rest of us Indians. Every villager is to participate in the festivities in accordance to an established social code. Unlike other festivals of Ladakh which celebrate a monastic or an auspicious occasion, the fifteen-day Ladakh Festival that starts on 1st September every year, brings together the cultural heritage of various village contingents and troupes from the plateau.

The festival starts with a grand inauguration ceremony followed by a massive procession that moves across the town; the participants singing and dancing to the tune of a traditional orchestra.

Their costume is traditional: velvet gonchas, elaborately embroidered waist coats, boots and Perak - traditional turquoise hats. The procession concludes at the P.olo ground where the men and women break into variety of folk dances specific to their region. The festivities over the next couple of weeks include Chams or Masked dance, Polo and Archery amongst others.

Chams: A highly choreographed sacred masked dance, performed by a select group of resident Lamas from a Monastery. Dressed in brightly patterned brocade robes, all the performing Lamas wear masks which represent deities of various divinities found in 'Gonkhang'- the room dedicated to the guardian divinities in every major monastery. The dances typically narrate a story of the fight between good and evil, ending with the eventual victory of the former. The unfolding drama and larger than life characters deliver performances that hold gaze for the entire duration leaving one awestruck. The Chams form part of every monastic festival held in Ladakh and hold tremendous religious importance.

Polo: the sport has been played in these rugged mountain valleys for centuries. Every year, polo teams from different parts of the region participate in the Polo tournament. Visitors can witness the game being played in its original, wild style with fewer rules and frenzied crowd involvement. An interesting part of the whole game is the musical accompaniment of surana and daman, whose tempo and volume matches the intsity of the game.

Village Archery: Deeply rooted in Ladakh culture, archery the the most favored Ladakhi pastime. When one hits the Bull's Eye or "Tsa ga", his partner offers a 'Khatak' or a white scarf to him. The marksman then leads a dance at the end of his round of shooting. Rounds of meals, gur, chang(local brew) etc. are served to the participants during the competition.

The festival is a showcase of all that's special and scared about the Indus Valley's gemstone, with so much crammed into just fifteen days, the essence can only be felt in person. If the valley's natural beauty and the cultural richness fail to intoxicate you, try the local brew- Chang. The enchanting valley has a lot to offer, and there is never enough time. Jhuley..

- By Ayush