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In Ladakh every occasion be it marriage, birth, harvesting, commemoration of head Lamas, founding of the monastery, Losar (new year) and flowering is marked by feasting, dancing and the singing of folksongs that forms a part of its living heritage. Most of the festivals are held in winter but some popular festival take place in summer too. The monastic festivals are the heart of all the festivals. They are performed by Monks wearing colorful silk garments and different facial masks.

Winter Festivals

Dosmochey

Dosmochey is celebrated in Leh (Leh Palace), Liker (Lower Ladakh) and Deskit (Nubra valley) monasteries in February. The two day Leh Dosmochey is the most famous of all the Ladakhi festivals, and is celebrated in the courtyards of the Leh Palace. The monks from different monasteries take it in turn to perform the Chams. The festival takes place over the Tibetan New Year. The monks of Takthok monastery prepare the offerings of crosses fashioned from thread, which binds all the evil and hungry ghosts and protects against natural disasters in the coming year. On the second day of the festival, the offerings are taken out of the town in a procession and burnt while people whistle to chase away the evil spirits.