A commemoration of Je Tsongkhapa

The snowy mountainous terrain of Ladakh is home to Tibetan Buddhism and attracts visitors with its mesmerizing sceneries, lakes, mountains, and monasteries in Ladakh is a festive land that radiates with the colourful culture and zealous celebrations spread throughout the year. The Galdan Namchot is one such festival that invokes good cheer and celebration in the people of Ladakh.

The Galdan Namchot is a festival celebrated all over Ladakh, Tibet, and Mongolia in the winter months. The Tibetan Buddhists follow the Lunar calendar, and the Galdan Namchot falls on the twenty-fifth day of the tenth month of their calendar. So, the date of this festival keeps changing every year, according to the Gregorian calendar. This year, it is scheduled to be celebrated on 10 December 2020. The Galdan Namchot has both social and religious importance. It signifies the beginning of the Losar Tibetan Buddhist New Year celebrations, which is held five days after the Galdan Namchot.

The Galdan Namchot is a commemoration of the birthday of Je Tsongkhapa. It is a tribute to his legacy. Je Tsongkhapa was a renowned scholar and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism. He delivered speeches to propagate his beliefs and enlighten the people, and also gave a sermon on Tibetan Buddhism in the fourteenth century. Eventually, his teachings led to the creation of the distinctive ‘Gelug’ school of Tibetan Buddhism.

During the Galdan Namchot, Ladakh is immersed in the memory of the saint-scholar Je Tsongkhapa and seeks to honour him in the best possible way. During this festival, all monasteries, public and residential buildings are illuminated with butter lamps. The streets look beautiful, adorned with charming butter lamps. This symbolizes the annihilation of the darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge.

People gift each-other a traditional ceremonial scarf known as ‘Khatak’. The ‘Khatak’ is usually white in colour. However, it is not uncommon to find a yellow-gold ‘Khatak’ that shimmers in the sunlight. White stands for purity. Hence, the white ‘Khatak’ symbolizes the pure heart of the giver and goodwill towards the receiver.

Food has the adhesive quality of bringing people together. On the festive occasion of Galdan Namchot, traditional cuisine adds a touch of culinary refreshment to a day spent engrossed in the captivating celebrations. Vegetable and chicken noodle soup are prepared. The famous momos and ‘thukpas’ are relished along with family and friends. Butter tea is served in households. People visit the homes of their loved ones and families and share the meal.

The Galdan Namchot in Ladakh combines beauty, culinary delights, and symbolic traditions into one commemoration. It marks the birthday of a person; whose unique worldview and teachings lead to the creation of a separate school of Tibetan Buddhism. You are sure to enjoy the festive hues of cheerfulness surrounded by the imposing mountains of Ladakh.