Leh, Jul 11: The inaugural Wanla Lonpo Festival, titled Echoes of Valour, unfolded in the historic village of Wanla in Ladakh’s Sham Valley, celebrating the deep-rooted legacy of the revered Lonpo of Wanla. Blending ritual, culture, and community, the event drew widespread participation from villagers, monks, artists, and visitors from across the country and beyond.
The festival commenced with a ceremonial gathering at Wanla Khar, where folk artists and guests assembled at the newly built Lonpo statue. Following a traditional welcome featuring tea, chhang, and yar, the Losar Apo dance was performed. The procession then made its way to the Lhagang for the lighting of the holy lamp before a grand cultural parade, led by Lonpo’s portrait, journeyed from the Gonpa through Sharchhogs and Namtsas to the main venue.
Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson attended as Chief Guest, alongside dignitaries including Executive Councillor Ghulam Mehdi, Councillor Lobzang Sherab, senior LBA representatives, monks, political leaders from both the BJP and Congress, and Padmashree awardees Morup Namgyal and Tsering Namgyal.
At the festival ground, the portrait of the Lonpo was received with traditional rituals by the monks, followed by a vibrant cultural programme. Performances included the Abchi Chhams, Karok Dance, and a theatrical depiction of the Lonpo’s life, as well as folk presentations by artists from Fanjila, Hinju, Hunupata, and Wanla Mal.
The event also marked the release of Wanla: History and Culture, a book authored by Sonam Angchok, chronicling the village’s heritage and cultural evolution. In his address, CEC Tashi Gyalson praised the efforts of both Wanla ‘A’ and ‘B’, and the local organising teams. He reaffirmed the importance of honouring the Lonpo’s contributions and announced that the festival will be celebrated annually to preserve and promote Wanla’s cultural memory.
He also underscored the ongoing developmental projects in the region, asserting the need for cultural preservation to go hand-in-hand with infrastructure progress. Highlighting the rising interest of tourists, he noted Wanla’s emerging role as a centre for cultural and spiritual tourism.
Assistant Director of Tourism, Padma Angmo, welcomed guests and visitors, reflecting on the festival’s role in promoting the spiritual and cultural richness of Sham Valley. Deputy Secretary for Culture, Tsewang Paljor, called on the community to remain united in preserving Ladakh’s heritage and monasteries.
As traditional dances such as Chaspa, Shondol, Ursi Losar, and Losar Karok brought the stage to life, the participation of Wanla’s Ama Tsogspa added warmth and authenticity to the celebration. With presence from officials including SDM Khaltsi Mohd. Sharif, engineers, BDOs, Gobas, and Tsogspa members from across Sham, the festival concluded as a vibrant tribute to the past and a hopeful gesture toward cultural renewal.
The Wanla Lonpo Festival closed with the fading sun over the valley, not just as a commemoration of history, but as a shared commitment to preserving the spirit and traditions of the land for generations to come.
