Thousands of Buddhists participate in Gochak procession

Buddhists taking out Gochak procession in Leh. —Excelsior/Morup Stanzin
Buddhists taking out Gochak procession in Leh. —Excelsior/Morup Stanzin

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, Feb 28: More than one thousand Buddhist devotees from different walks of life including female, male and children were seen participating in the three-day Gochaks (protestation) procession in the Buddhist holy month of “Tangpo” also known as “Chostrul Lzawa” to commemorate the Buddha miraculous display during the first 15 days of the Tibetan lunar calendar around this time of the year.
This is the biggest procession of Gochak in the city in which thousands of Buddhist devotees performed Gochak in the holy month every year. During this period, all the monastic institutions, holy and religious places are illuminated with butter lamp to mark the occasion. Besides, Buddhists strictly avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol and other intoxicative substances by observing fasting and are busy engaged in Dharma practices and virtuous activities to earn merits.
The three days religious procession started from Chatsal Gang near Leh Gate this morning in which devotees from all walks of life participated to perform Gochak creating a unique atmosphere travels from Chatsal Gang to Chubi village on the first day, today.
Next day around 4 AM, the religious procession will continue further travelling from Namgyal Tsemo and the third day they would reach the original place around 11 AM. Such procession also organizes at each village level and performer tries to make circumulation of holy places, such as Stupsa and Monasteries.
Earlier, while chanting a prayer “Lama Sangryas Rinpochey Choski Sku La Chaktsal Lo” devotees perform about hundred Chak at Chaktsal Gang before starting their religious procession. Geshes Tsultim Tharchin gave a brief introduction about Gochak and its merits to the devotees. While preaching he emphasized upon the devotees on focusing on Body (Lus) Speech (Naag) and Mind (Idd) while performing Gochak to attain the sublime.
One of the members from Leh Phu-Dho Nawang Stamstan Lden said that this is pious month to perform Gochak where people from different walks of life actively perform Gochak to earn merits and Leh Phu-Dhu makes lunch arrangement for the performer since many years. Tsogspas and volunteers’ offers refreshment and services to the Gochak performers at various locations.

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