Ladakhi Shondol dance makes it to Guinness book of records

Our Correspondent

Leh, September 21

Shondol dance, which is known as the royal dance of Ladakh, has created history by entering into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest Ladakhi dance. Shondol is a famous dance, which artistes used to perform for the king of Ladakh.

As many as 408 women attired in traditional dresses and beautiful head gears performed the dance. It was held on the concluding day of the ongoing Buddhist carnival Naropa festival near the Hemis Monastery. The festival had begun on September 16 and concluded on Friday.

The Guinness Book of World Records official adjudicate, Swapnil Dangarikar, while congratulating the Ladakhis for breaking the record presented the certificate to chairman, Naropa Festival Organising Committee, Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche.

Dangarikar said he was happy to come here and witness the beautiful dance performed by the local women to set the record.

J&K Academy for Arts, Culture and Language special officer Tsewang Paljor said it was a challenging task to organise such a mass dance and at the same time it was a great opportunity to showcase artistes from all regions on a single platform, adding that they performed the dance with great devotion and faith. It was organised by the Live to Love India, Drukpa Charitable Trust, and the Young Drukpa Association.