The Yuru Kabgyat is a two-day-long festival celebrated with tremendous zeal and enthusiasm at Lamayuru, located 127 kilometers from Leh. The Buddhists come from various countries like China, Japan, Tibet, and Korea and attend the Yuru Kabgyat festival at Leh. Moreover, numerous people from abroad attend this festival. It is a festival that is celebrated with tremendous pomp and enthusiasm. Colorfully dressed Buddhist Monks throng the Leh Valley and participate in the dance drama. You can enjoy this festival on your Ladakh vacation.
History of the Yuru Kabgyat at Leh
The Yuru Kabgyat dance consists of Chhams in which the Lamas dance in the form of circles with large colorful masks. This circular movement is often accompanied by drum beats, long pipes, and cymbals. The masks are usually made from paper mache, and there is also a thin coat of plaster enveloping it.
The main figures portrayed are the Yama, or the Lord of Death, and Padmasambhava or the second Buddha is known to be the God of Wealth. He is regarded as a protector of horses and animals, including the human race. At Lamayuru in Leh, this dance is a renowned dance drama that is held every year during the Yuru Kabgyat festival (held around July –August.) This dance drama concludes with sacrificial offerings.
Time
Yuru Kabgyat is a 2-day festival, which is celebrated on the 17th and 18th day of the 5th Tibetan month, which usually coincides in July. Lamayuru monastery serves as the venue for the event.
Rituals
The main figures usually depicted in the dance drama are Yama (the Lord of Death) and Padmasambhava (the Second Buddha). He is considered to be the protector of the horses and animals and is also regarded as the Lord of Wealth. The festival concludes with sacrificial offerings and sacred rites performed.
Celebration
Buddhist Monks especially dress for the event to celebrate the festival with great fervour. Yuru Kabgyat is actually a dance drama, comprising of “Chhams”. In Chamm, the Lamas dance in a circle decorated with vibrant masks. These masks are generally made of paper Mache and have a thin quote of plaster encasing it. The circular dance movements are followed by the beats of the drums, cymbals and long pipes.
Highlights
Being enacted at the pristine locations of Leh and Ladakh, the dance drama is the highlight of Yuru Kabgyat. Travellers visiting Ladakh can have the excellent opportunity to learn about the religion of Buddhism. The festival also offers wonderful opportunity to understand about the teachings of the Buddha that, adding more fame to the occasion.
Celebrated with great fervour every year, the festivals of Ladakh are usually held in the courtyard of Buddhist monasteries. Monks wearing colourful robes and frightful masks perform cham (sacred mask dances). These cham represent the purification of mind and also the triumph of good over evil. The festivals are an important part of Ladakh's cultural life. People, young and old, from all parts of Ladakh attend these monastic festivals.