GHCL Digest JUNE 2018

Festivals In June
The monsoons arrive in India in June, so it's an excellent me to enjoy the wet weather at a monsoon
fes val in India! Otherwise, head north to the mountains to catch some popular fes vals and events.
Here's the best of what's on in June in India.
Ramadan
Hemis Fes val
The holy Muslim month of Ramadan is a fantas c opportunity to feast on fresh
street food. During Ramadan, Muslims tradi onally fast daily from sunrise un l
sunset. In the evenings, the streets in tradi onal Muslim areas are flooded with
people and the tantalizing aroma of meat being freshly roasted to feed the
famished. The revelry con nues all night. Ramadan concludes with the fes val
of Eid-ul-Fitr, with more feas ng and shopping.
The two-day Hemis Fes val commemorates the birth of Guru Padmasambhava,
who founded Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. There's tradi onal music, colorful
masked dances, and a fair full of striking handicra s.
When: June 23-24, 2018 at Hemis Monastery, Leh, Ladakh.
Champakulam Boat Race
The Champakulam Boat Race is the oldest snake boat race of Kerala. It's also the
first boat race of the season. A stunning procession is enacted prior to the race
taking place. It features exo c water floats, boats decorated with colorful
parasols, and performing ar sts.
When: June 28, 2018 at Pampa River at Champakulam, Kerala.
Yuru Kabgyat
Visit Ladakh before the peak season starts to catch the Yuru Kabgyat fes val at
Lamayuru Monastery, the oldest monastery in the region. Two days of sacred
masked dances and other rituals take place against a spectacular se ng atop a
steep hill. Music is a big part of the fes val with monks playing cymbals, drums,
and wind instruments.
When: June 12-13, 2018 at the Lamayuru Monastery, Ladakh.
Shimla Summer Fes val
Beat the rain by heading north to the mountains in Shimla, to experience the
annual summer fes val. This renowned event has been held regularly in
Shimla since the 1960s. It features musical performances, some from famous
singers, food and fashion. Plenty of local handicra s are on sale too. To get
there, travel on a toy train to Shimla.
When: First week of June.
Where: Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
June 2018
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