Search Buddhist Channel
Ladakhis celebrating fortnight-long Ladakh festival
By Jigmet Angchuk, New Kerala, Sept 8, 2005
Leh, Ladakh (India) -- Leh is celebrating the fortnight long Tibetan Buddhist cultural festival. Earlier, the cultural fiesta opened with a procession of hundreds of resplendently attired artists from various regions of Ladakh - Changpa, Nubrapa, Balti and Barokpa walking through the streets of Leh before assembling in the historic Polo ground for cultural performances.
Thousands of locals along with foreign and domestic tourists witnessed the annual extravaganza showcasing the distinct Ladakhi folk culture.
The festival, which was earlier, held in the peak summer months of June and July was shifted in order to attract the tourists to the lean season.
Nawang Rigzen Jora, Minister for Science and Technology, Jammu and Kashmir said that the large number of tourists present was proof that the festival’s aim was being achieved.
“It is very heartening to see a very large number of tourists at the festival this year.
The festival was instituted with the objective of lengthening the tourist season. We had only two months of tourist season - July and August. We instituted this festival with the aim of lengthening the season. When I see such a large number of tourists present on the festival today, I realize that our objective is being accomplished,” he said.
Locals performed the famous mask dances, a hit among the foreigners, in the ramparts of the monasteries, amidst the backdrop of barren chilly mountains.
Ladakhi people bedecked with gold and silver ornaments and turquoise headgear along with Phoks, Karcholmas, Dekhar, Polo horses, yaks and double humped camels thronged the streets.
To the visitors, the festival offers tourists a unique opportunity to witness the culture of the people who have lived for centuries at the cross-roads of high Asia, receiving and harmonizing cultural and religious influences from various Central Asian societies.
Needless, to say, the festival also gives a boost to the state's tourism industry.
Ladakh and Sindhu Darshan festivals contribute 50 percent to promotion of tourism in the remote region.
Over 15,000 tourists have visited Ladakh so far during the current tourist season and the influx of foreign as well as domestic tourists has increased by 50 percent in the last two years alone.
Historically, Leh is the ancient royal capital and currently the headquarters of the Ladakh region. Situated at a height of 11,500 feet, Leh offers a unique ambience for the festival against stark mountains.
Ladakhis’ mesmerizing dances, tempered by religion, are known for their simplicity and direct expressions. Each dance begins with homage to the gods with a deliberately slow movement of the feet. The rhythm slowly picks up in the second stage and reaches a feverish pitch towards the end.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv