Naropa, the Kumbha of Ladakh, to start from September 16

Come September, and you will be able to take a culture dive in Ladakh’s rich Buddhist legacy. Yes, it is time for Naropa Festival, also referred to as the Kumbha of Ladakh, owing to the mammoth crowd that it attracts. 2018 will see the Himalayas of Ladakh resonating with celebrations from September 16 to September 20. If you are in Ladakh around for these dates, this is what you need to know about this festival.

Naropa, the Himalayan Kumbha
While Ladakh and the surrounding region is famous and much loved for the solitude here, Naropa is when lakhs of followers of the Drukpa sect make a beeline for the hills. Much like the Kumbha Mela in the plains, this festival brings together people from all over the world, complete with elaborate rituals and colourful celebrations that continues for days.

The festival celebrates the life and teachings of Naropa, a scholar saint. His teachings also form the core of Buddhist learnings, thus making him a prominent name in Ladakh as well.
The venue
Naropa Festival is held at the famous Hemis Monastery, which lies at some 40 km from Leh. It is one of the biggest and most important Buddhist monastery in the country, and houses relics and texts of grave importance in its precincts. The village of Hemis makes for a perfect setting, cut away from much of the glare that is a part of most touristy place.

The celebrations
This year, festivities for Naropa Festival will start on September 16, and will include a grand opening ceremony, wherein awe-inspiring relics will be put on display. It will also see the 2nd Himalayan Heroes Award being conferred. The following days will see much action in the mountains, including concerts as a tribute to Naropa, archery competition, traditional dance performances, panel discussions and more. Needless to say, there will be a lot of traditional food as well! So, do not miss.

Another highlight of Naropa Festival 2018 is the epic concert that is planned for September 20, for this one aims to mark its name in the Guinness Book of World Records.