Galdan Namchot Festival

About Galdan Namchot Festival of Ladakh

Galdan Namchot is a festival most often celebrated in Mongolia, Tibet and Ladakh. It commemorates the birth & parinirvana (death) of Je Tsongkhapa, a renowned scholar of Tibetan Buddhism who played an important role in the formation of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Galdan Namchot Festival marks the beginning of the New Year in Ladakh. It is a festival where colourful dramas are performed by the monks honouring Je Tsongkhapa, along with many other activities.

Festival Dates/Months :

Galdan Namchot Festival is an annual festival held in the month of December, but the dates vary every year.

Special Highlights of the Festival :

Celebrations during the Galdan Namchot Festival are held on a grand scale. Monasteries & residential buildings are illuminated, while people light butter lamps symbolising the victory of good over evil.

During this occasion, several dishes like Butter Tea, Momos & Thukpa are prepared, and dance dramas are performed by monks dressed in colourful robes.