Gyalson initiates celebration of culture, community spirit
Mangyu, Jul 17: Setting the tone for a grand celebration of culture and wellness, Chairman, CEC Advocate Tashi Gyalson led the launch of the vibrant Sham Festival 2025 in the culturally rich village of Mangyu.
Earlier, a ceremonial bike rally featuring both locals and tourists was flagged off from the Tourism Office by Sanjit Rodrigues, IAS, Administrative Secretary, Tourism & Culture, along with Kunzes Angmo, Director Tourism, and Padma Angmo, Assistant Director Tourism, Leh.
The rally was warmly received in Mangyu, where the opening set a vibrant tone, inviting guests to immerse in the village’s deep-rooted cultural traditions and medicinal heritage.
Guests were warmly welcomed at Chutsan with traditional refreshments. A guided cultural tour followed, taking visitors through the historic flour mill (Rantak), local food stalls, and live kitchen demonstrations by SHGs and women’s groups.
The walk offered glimpses into sacred sites like the Vairochana Temple and Guru Padmasambhava Temple, alongside exhibitions on local wildlife and rare medicinal plants curated by Amchi experts and Sowa Rigpa scholars.
At the main venue, the CEC inaugurated the festival by lighting the ceremonial Lharna lamp, followed by welcome speeches and traditional archery rounds. A captivating series of cultural performances followed—Shondol, Jabro, Chabskyan, and Tsaga Tses—performed by local youth, members of LKT, and the Ama Tsogspa, capturing the spirit of Ladakhi tradition.
Also present at the event were Venerable Monk of Likir Gonpa, President of Sham LBA Women Wing Tsering Tsomo, Tehsildar Saspol Sajjad Hussain, Second SHO Khaltsi Skarma Angchuk, tourists, Goba and community members, various Tsogspas including Ama Tsogspa and Junu Tsogspa, and the local villagers of Mangyu.
On the joyous occasion, Councillor Khaltsi constituency, Lobzang Sherab expressed heartfelt gratitude to the CEC Advocate Tashi Gyalson for his unwavering support in making the Sham Festival a reality.
He lauded the initiative as a visionary step towards positioning Mangyu as a hub of culture and wellness. The Hon’ble Councillor also reflected on how the growth of homestays since the formation of the UT has created fresh livelihood opportunities for the villagers while reigniting pride in their rich cultural heritage.
In his keynote address, the CEC appreciated the unity and efforts of the villagers, especially the Goba, youth and Ama Tsogspa, in organising such a meaningful event. He announced that a wellness centre will be established in Mangyu, given the village’s natural wealth of medicinal herbs.
He also assured that a cultural museum will be constructed and committed to the restoration of Mangyu’s temples, as part of preserving its sacred legacy. He stressed the importance of hosting such festivals across different regions of Sham to enhance awareness and local income through tourism.
The CEC also extended his appreciation to the Biker’s Union for their active collaboration and thanked the tourists for being part of this beginning.
He especially commended Councillor Lobzang Sherab for his tireless groundwork, including submission of a DPR for the proposed museum, and for his vision to promote development initiatives such as improved road connectivity and plans for the Mangyu’s own Apricot Festival.
He emphasised that Mangyu, with its abundant medicinal plants and healing tradition, holds immense potential as a future wellness tourism destination.
ADT Leh Padma Angmo, in her remarks, welcomed the tourists and offered insights into the cultural richness of Sham, highlighting how festivals like this bring local traditions to a global audience.
One of the highlights was the address by Amchi Tashi Stobgais, who spoke passionately about the value of traditional Sowa Rigpa medicine, calling for the preservation of this ancient healing practice and the need to make it more appealing to the younger generation.
He stressed the urgency of research and protection of medicinal plant ecosystems found in and around Mangyu.
The festival concluded with a warm and heartfelt vote of thanks by Stanzin Dorjay, a member of Lamzang Kunthus Tsogspa, who expressed deep gratitude to all dignitaries, villagers, artists, and collaborators. The first-ever Sham Festival at Mangyu ended on a high note—celebrated not just as a festival, but as the beginning of a movement to revive, preserve, and promote Ladakh’s cultural and healing heritage.
He was joined by Dy Chairman LAHDC Leh Tsering Angchuk, Khaltsi Councillor Lobzang Sherab; Lamayuru Councillor Dr. Morup Dorjey; Phyang Councillor Tundup Nurbu; ADT Leh, Padma Angmo; Biker’s Union President Tashi Yontan and it’s executive members.
