Hemis Festival in Ladakh is celebrated in Leh every year to honor the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. It is a revered festival of Buddhists which falls on the 10th day of the fifth month of the Tibetan calendar which is in the month of June / July as per the Gregorian calendar.
The festival is celebrated in Hemis monastery which is situated in Hemis village. It is the most famous and popular festival for Buddhists and monks. People from all over the world come here to witness this festival. The celebration involves monks wearing colorful costumes and performing a masked dance with different face masks called Chham Dance.
This 2-day festival involves the unfurling of Ladakh’s largest Thangka (Buddhist painting) on the first day for the public to see.
From the historical point of view, Guru Padmasambhava had eight avatars over which monks performed masked dances with his different faces. It is not a normal fun dance but an act of worship.
Hemis festival carries forward the cultural legacy of Ladakh and serves as a celebration of the win of good over evil.
There are many such festivals celebrated in Ladakh also Hemis Festival in Ladakh and if you ever decide to visit Ladakh, then you should plan your Ladakh trip around such a festival.
Watch the valleys, mountains and rivers thriving on the beats of trumpets, cymbals, and drums as the locals enter the frenzied two-day celebration of the Hemis Festival in Ladakh. Hemis Festival is celebrated in Hemis Monastery. The monastery dates back to 300 years and is under the rule of Namgyal!
Hemis Festival in Ladakh begins with the followers seeking blessings of a portrait of the Guru early morning and musicians playing music while the ceremony is going on. But what makes the festival most attractive is the masked dance performance called Cham. It is a slow dance and depicts the war between good and evil wherein the good wins! The sight is jaw-dropping as the colorfully dressed Lamas bring enthusiasm in the whole crowd.
Why celebrate the Hemis festival in Ladakh
Hemis festival in Ladakh is one of the biggest and most important festivals of Ladakh. It is celebrated each year to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche who was the most revered Guru for Buddhists.
Locals and tourists celebrate this festival as a symbol of victory of good over evil. It represents the cultural history of Ladakh.
It is believed that in the 8th century, the spiritual leader Guru Padmasambhava forced out demons and evil spirits from Ladakh. So, this festival is in a way to celebrate this win.
On this festival, the Hemis monastery is decorated beautifully, Chham dances are performed by monks, and Thangka painting is unfurled.
Duration of Hemis festival In Ladakh
It is a 2-day long festival which is celebrated at Hemis monastery in the fifth month of the Tibetan calendar. As per the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls in the month of June-July.
How to reach Hemis monastery
Hemis Monastery is situated 45 km away from Leh. The monastery has well-developed linked roads and is easily accessible by road.
By air: The nearest airport to Hemis Monastery is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport located in Leh. You can book a flight from any state such as Delhi, Mumbai, or Chandigarh to this airport. After reaching here, book a cab or taxi to reach Hemis monastery.
By road: it is the most thrilling way to reach Hemis monastery. This monastery is just 7 km from Karu en route to Leh via Manali and is easily commutable by bus, cab, or taxi.
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Frequently asked questions
1. What is the best time to visit Ladakh?
The best time to visit Ladakh for a trip is during the summer season. From May to September, the weather remains pleasant with 20-degree temperatures. The roads get also clear in summer paving the way for a huge number of tourists to visit here. Ladakh offers scenic beauty views of snow-capped mountains, landscapes, and adventures such as camping, camel riding, and trekking in summer. Also in the summer season, you will get the opportunity to witness the Hemis festival.
2. When is the Hemis festival In Ladakh celebrated?
The Hemis Festival in Ladakh It is celebrated on the tenth day of the fifth month of the Tibetan calendar which coincides with June and July of the Gregorian calendar.
3. What are the major attractions of the Hemis festival?
There are many attractions of the Hemis festival In Ladakh which include the Chham Dance, the display of Ladaki handicrafts, and the unfurling of giant Thangpa.
4. What is the Hemis festival about?
It is a festival to honour the birth of Guru Padmasambhava who in the 8th century feared evil spirits from Ladakh. Hemis festival marks the victory of good over evil.