Spituk Gustor Festival

The Spituk Gustor Festival, an annual winter celebration in Ladakh, offers a unique cultural experience that will uplift you during the harsh winters. Embrace the vibrant culture of Ladakh by attending this festival, held at the Spituk Monastery. The word ‘Gustor’ in the local language signifies the ‘Sacrifice of the 29th day’, a traditional ritual in the monasteries of the reformist Geluk-pa order of Tibetan Buddhism.

The two-day Spituk Gustor Festival, celebrated on 9th Jan to 10th January 2024 at the Spituk Monastery, holds deep spiritual significance. It is observed on the 28th and 29th days of the 11th month of the Tibetan calendar, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The festival is a prayer for world peace, happiness, and the welfare of all beings. The seven days preceding the festival are dedicated to prayers, with the dances performed only during the fiesta. The festival also involves the burning of effigies of evil forms.

The mask dance, Cham, is the highlight of Spituk Gustor. The dance is more like a drama representative, with characters representing the guardian divinities (Dharmapalas) of the Buddhist pantheon and the patron divinities of the Geluk-pa order. Monks dress in these beautiful masks made of clay and paper painted with natural colors and polished with gold and silver, while the dress is usually silk and brocade. The musical tunes of long horns, cymbals, conch shells, bells, and many other instruments accompany the dance.

During this festival, monks from many monasteries worldwide, such as Stok, Sankar, Saboo, and Spituk, congregate at the monastery. A protective amulet treasured in the Spituk monastery is uncovered for the festival, and pilgrims take blessings. The serene monastery gets crowded with visitors from all over the world.

When you book a package with Leh Ladakh India, you’re not just getting a trip, you’re getting an expertly planned, prime viewing experience with insider knowledge to enhance your festival experience. Our Ladakh package is customizable and features comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and swift transfers, ensuring a fun-filled Ladakh holiday.