Korzok Gustor

Name: Korzok Gustor
Start: 2025-07-16
End: 2025-07-17
Location: Korzok

Sacred Dances and High-Altitude Prayers Beside Lake Tsomoriri

2025/07/16 - 2025/07/17

Every summer, the village of Korzok on the shores of Lake Tsomoriri in Ladakh transforms into a vibrant celebration during the Korzok Gustor Festival. In the clear air at over 4,500 meters above sea level, the sounds of cymbals, horns, and monks’ chanting echo across the turquoise lake and snow-capped peaks, creating a magical backdrop. For adventurous travelers, lovers of Buddhist culture, and anyone seeking Ladakh’s living traditions, Korzok Gustor is an unforgettable high-altitude experience.

This festival is held every July or August at Korzok Monastery on the northern shore of Lake Tsomoriri in the Changthang region of Ladakh. Nomadic Changpa herders, villagers, monks, and a handful of travelers gather to share in the region’s most important spiritual celebration.

Main Attractions

Cham (Masked Dances)

The heart of Korzok Gustor is the sacred Cham masked dance performed by monks. Dressed in luxurious brocade costumes and striking masks representing deities and demons, the monks dance to the rhythm of drums and Tibetan horns. Believed to drive away evil and purify the land, these dances—set against the blue sky and lake, with vibrant costumes swirling—are a truly breathtaking sight.

Key Rituals and Events

The festival opens with purification rituals, prayers, and the lighting of butter lamps. Over two days, monks chant mantras, perform fire offerings, and reenact mythic battles. The climax is the destruction of the “linga” (an effigy symbolizing evil), celebrated with cheers and clouds of incense, marking the triumph of good over evil. The scent of juniper and yak butter, the crisp mountain air, and the sounds of cymbals and chanting fill the valley.

Costumes and Decorations

Monks wear silk robes in deep red, gold, and cobalt blue, with large masks decorated with skulls, fangs, and yak hair. The monastery is adorned with prayer flags, thangka paintings, and butter sculptures. The feel of stone floors, the warmth of butter lamps, and the chill of the mountain breeze create a sensory experience unique to Ladakh.

Traditional Food and Drink

During the festival, locals and visitors share Ladakhi specialties such as steaming thukpa (noodle soup), momos (dumplings), and tsampa (roasted barley flour). Yak butter tea is served in wooden cups, its salty richness warming cold hands and bodies. The earthy flavors of barley, mountain herbs, and local cheese, combined with communal meals, foster a deep sense of connection.

Cultural and Historical Background

Korzok Gustor is rooted in the Drukpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and has a history spanning centuries. “Gustor” means “sacrifice of the 29th day,” symbolizing the victory of good over evil and the purification and renewal of the land and people. For the Changpa herders and villagers, it is an important annual event to pray for the protection of their livestock, families, and land, and to strengthen their bonds with the monastery and community.

Fun Facts

Korzok Gustor is held at over 4,500 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest festivals in the world.
Lake Tsomoriri is a Ramsar-designated wetland, home to rare migratory birds.
The festival’s climax, the destruction of the linga effigy, is believed to ward off evil for the entire community.