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Gustor festival is celebrated in different monasteries of Ladakh. It is celebrated by various monasteries such as Thiksey, Spituk, Korzok and Karsha. The word Gustor དགུ་གཏོར / དགུ་སྟོར literally means 'Sacrifice of the 29th Day' in the Tibetan language.[1] The festival is celebrated for two days, with different kinds of rituals, ceremonies, music & Cham Dance.
| Gustor festival | |
|---|---|
 Cham dance during Spituk Gustor 2018 in Spituk Monastery | |
| Observed by | Buddhists |
| Type | Religious festival New year Commemoration |
| Significance | being celebrated for peace and prosperity in the coming Ladakhi New year |
| Begins | February |
| Ends | February |
| Date | 28th and 29th day of the 11th month of the Tibetan lunar calendar every year |
| 2023 date | 19–20 January |
| Frequency | Annual |
Thikse Gustor Festival
editThikse Gustor Festival in Thikse Monastery is held on the month of (October–November) which is held from the 17th to 19th day of the ninth month of the Tibetan calendar.[2][3]
Korzok Gustor Festival
editKorzok Gustor Festival in Korzok Monastery is held on the month of July. Many Chang-pa, the Tibetan plateau nomadic herdsmen are attracted to this festival. [4] In Korzok Gustor festival, Lama dancers wear masks to represent the Dharmapalas. Dharmapalas are guardian divinities of the Buddhist pantheon. They are the patron divinities of the Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.[4]
Karsha Gustor Festival
editKarsha Gustor Festival in Karsha Monastery is held on the 27th and 28th day of the 6th Tibetan month which falls in July. Karsha (biggest Monastery in Zanskar). This festival has masked dance, quaint music and spiritual chants which continue for two days. [1][3][5]
Stonday Gustor Festival
editStonday Gustor Festival is held in the Stonday Monastery. The dates of this festival depends on the Tibetan calendar. Date varies every year but mostly in July.[5]
Schedule
editSince Ladakh follows the Tibetan lunar calendar and Gustor festival comes on the 28th and 29th day of the 11 month Tibetan calendar, every year the festival falls on a different date of the Gregorian calendar.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 11–12 January |
| 2022 | 30–31 January |
| 2023 | 19–20 January |
| 2024 | |
| 2025 | |
| 2026 | |
| 2027 |
Gallery
edit-
Spituk Lama with cymbals during Gustor festival -
Musical instrument Tibetan horn kept on the floor during Spituk Gustor Festival in Spituk Monastery -
Ladakh Horn Players -
Spituk Cham Dance during Gustor festival -
Cham Dancer -
Dungchen player
References
edit- ^ a b India 2017 YEARBOOK (First ed.). McGraw Hill Education. 2017. ISBN 978-9352605682. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ Ladakh Through the Ages. Indus Publishing Company. 1992. ISBN 9788185182759. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ a b Amazing Land Ladakh. Indus Publishing Company. 2006. ISBN 9788173871863. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Korzok Gustor Festival". Footloose India. 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2008.
- ^ a b Mohd Hamza (25 June 2019). The Dreamland: Discover Unexplored Kargil (Ladakh). Notion Press. pp. 35–. ISBN 978-1-64546-837-0.