Lamayuru, Ladakh, the Yuru Kabgyat festival in 2004

Recorded during the Yuru Kabgyat festival at Lamayuru monastery in Ladakh in 2004. Includes the unveiling of the large thangkha (Rinchen Zangpo?) Lamayuru is part of the Drikung Kagyu branch of Buddhism and one of the oldest monesteries in Lakakh. Naropa performed a long retreat there and his cave became part of the monastery. Rinchen Zangpo built the major portion of the monastery in 1038. Ladakhis still refer to Lamayuru gompa as Tharpa Ling, the "Place of Freedom". The masked dances (Cham) are part of a Tshechu, or festival honoring Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) across many himalayan Buddhist regions Photos of the festival and other areas of Ladakh in 2004 available here - https://www.4ntravelers.com/Asia/Lada...