Leh: Celebrations for Spituk Gustor Festival commenced here in Leh district of Ladakh Union Territory on Thursday.
The two-days annual Spituk Gustor Festival depicts Ladakhi culture and traditional heritage, and is cherished across the Ladakh UT.
To witness the colourful festivities, devotees arrive at the Spituk Monastery every year and attend the colourful mask dance locally called ‘Chams’.
This annual festival takes place at the Spituk monastery. It is held in the 11th month of the Tibetan calendar. The festival happens as a symbol of the victory of good over evil.
Although the history of the Spituk Gustor Festival might not be traceable, it is said that Buddhism in India flourished during the reign of The Great King Ashoka in 200 BC.
About Spituk Monastery, it was founded by Od-de, who was the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od, when he came for Maryul visit in the 11th century.
After that, a translator named Lochen Rinchen Zangpo visited the place and named it ‘Spituk’ which means ‘Exemplary’. Lochen Rinchen Zangpo aka Mahaguru was a translator of Sanskrit Buddhist Texts during the second diffusion of Buddhism in Tibet. It is believed that he had built several monasteries or Gompas.
The Spituk Gustor Festival is a celebration of peace and prosperity.
