Diplomat Correspondent
Leh:DD, The third day of the Ladakh Festival 2025 opened with cultural, educational, and traditional showcases across Leh, drawing enthusiastic participation from locals and tourists alike.
At the Main Market Leh, visitors explored the Exhibition on Birds and Mammals of Ladakh by the Birds Club and WWF, along with The Leh Book Worm – A Book Expo on Ladakh. Simultaneously, the Leh Palace hosted the ASI exhibition “From Ruins to Revival – Conservation & Archival Treasures,” highlighting Ladakh’s heritage and preservation efforts.
The Eco Park, Leh, became a hub of discovery with the Showcase of Biodiversity of Ladakh, while school students brought energy and color through captivating dance performances. At the Dharma Center, Choglamsar, the audience witnessed the sacred Chams (Mask Dance) Performance and a Thangka Exhibition, reflecting Ladakh’s spiritual traditions.
Traditional practices were celebrated at the Shenam Gongma Community Hall, where DAFANGS – Traditional Archery of Ladakh was displayed, offering visitors interactive experiences and selfie points in traditional attire. The Polo Ground, Leh, came alive with excitement during the Polo Match between Indus Polo Club, Chuchot and Ldumra Polo Team, keeping Ladakh’s equestrian legacy at the heart of the festival.
In the afternoon, architectural experts shared insights on Traditional Architecture of Ladakh through talks and Q&A sessions at Eco Park, Leh. Later, tourism documentaries and short films were screened at both Eco Park and the Main Market, offering visual journeys into Ladakh’s beauty and heritage.
As evening descended, the Leh Palace came alive with a spectacular Light and Sound Show. At the same time, the Main Market hosted “Youthok Lamo” – a play by the Ladakh Theatre Organization, which captivated audiences with its powerful storytelling.
The day concluded under the starry skies with “A Celestial Journey – An Astronomy Discovery in Leh’s Dark Sky” at Shanti Stupa, Leh, where visitors experienced a magical stargazing session against the backdrop of the Himalayas.DD