Leh Comes Alive as Ladakh Festival 2025 Kicks Off with Grandeur
Leh, Sept 22: “The Ladakh Festival is a platform to showcase our art, music, and traditions in a concentrated and engaging format while supporting local livelihoods,” said Hon’ble Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Leh, Adv. Tashi Gyalson, as he inaugurated the Ladakh Festival 2025 today in Leh. The four-day extravaganza commenced with grandeur, drawing hundreds of residents, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts eager to experience the rich heritage of the region.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by acclaimed Bollywood actor Siddhant Chaturvedi, who attended as Guest of Honour. The day’s celebrations opened with a vibrant cultural parade that began at historic Karzu Zing and culminated at Leh Main Market, featuring traditional dances, music, horse and camel riders, and elaborate representations of Ladakh’s diverse cultural legacy, captivating participants and spectators alike.
Across Leh, the festival offered a spectrum of cultural experiences. At Leh Palace, the Archaeological Survey of India presented “From Ruins to Revival”, an exhibition showcasing rare archival treasures and ongoing conservation projects. Eco Park and Leh Main Market buzzed with activity, featuring artisans demonstrating pottery, weaving, basketry, and shoemaking, alongside vibrant stalls of handicrafts, handlooms, and traditional cuisine, giving visitors a full sensory experience of Ladakh’s living traditions.
The Main Market stage hosted screenings of tourism documentaries and short films, highlighting Ladakh’s breathtaking landscapes and growing appeal to travellers. Evening festivities included a mesmerizing light-and-sound show narrating Ladakh’s history, followed by folk performances by artists from across the region. Nighttime events featured the high-energy concert “Era of Echoes”, blending modern and traditional music, and “Celestial Journey – An Astronomy Discovery” at Shanti Stupa, offering stargazing sessions under expert guidance with free shuttle services from the Old Bus Stand.
Speaking to the gathering, CEC Gyalson emphasized that many tourists are unable to fully experience Ladakh’s treasures during short visits. The festival, he noted, provides a platform to engage with the region’s culture, while simultaneously supporting the local economy. Highlighting the dependence of the community on tourism, he observed that initiatives like the festival help sustain livelihoods, provide educational opportunities for children, and strengthen economic resilience. He also commended Secretary Tourism Sanjit Rodrigues for enhancing the festival’s creativity and inclusivity.
The inaugural function was attended by Secretary Tourism and Culture Sanjit Rodrigues, DC Leh Romil Singh Donk, BJP State President Tashi Gyalson Khachu, Director Tourism Tsering Paldan, ADC Leh Ghulam Mohd., ADDC Leh Sonam Nurboo, Director Health Dr. Tashi Thinles, Director Horticulture Tsewang Phunchok, ASP Regzin Sangdup, and other senior officials, along with tourism stakeholders and participants from across Ladakh and beyond.
Organised by the UT Administration of Ladakh in collaboration with the Department of Tourism & Culture, Ministry of Tourism, LAHDC Leh, and Incredible India, the Ladakh Festival 2025 will continue over the next three days with cultural performances, exhibitions, traditional sports, and artistic showcases, celebrating the timeless heritage of Ladakh while promoting sustainable tourism and supporting local communities.
