Dak-ThokTse-Chu Festivals - थोक्त्से डाक-चू

Dak-Thok Tse-Chu is an important festival which is held in the month of July and August and draws a large number of tourists and mostly the local people. Observed according to the Buddhist calendar these Tsechu Festivals are a celebration of the Padma Sambhava's exploits. The Buddhists observe a number of Tsechu festivals and they are mostly dedicated to Guru Rimpoche or Padma Sambhava who is considered to be the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The Tsechu Festivals in Ladakh highlights the enlightening works of Guru Rimpoche's life. Celebrated according to the Buddhist calendar it is generally celebrated on the 10th day of the Lunar Tibetan Calendar.

The word Dak Thok means "Black Rock" in Ladakh. It is a cave chapel which is a part of the Dak Thok monastery. The members of this Buddhist sect are followers of Padma Sambhava or Guru Rimpoche and the Tsechu Festival celebrates Guru Rimpoche's deeds. The Tsechu Festivals are celebrated by Cham dances where both the monks and the local people dance. The dances depict different aspects of the wrathful and compassionate deities and a variety of animals.

This festival is one of the most interesting attractions in Ladakh. The spectators who are watching it bestows merit on them and instructs them in the teachings and even protects them from the evil things. Tsechu is also treated as a social gathering where the local people adorn themselves in the best of clothes and jewelry.

Time of Celebration Festivals

Held during the month of July and August the Dak-Thok Tse-Chu in Ladakh is an important festival.

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