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Fairs and Festivals
Hemis Festival – Get Involved in the Grand Spiritual Show
Different from the rest of the country are the festivals of Ladakh, though they share the same basic thought to summon happiness and prosperity. Hemis Monastery, regarded as the wealthiest Buddhist monastery in the entire Ladakh, annually hosts Hemis Festival in the month of July. Dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, the festival commemorates good’s triumphant over evil and is a fantastic way to peep into the Tibetan culture prevailing in the region.
Main Attractions
The two-day long festival is celebrated through invigorating dance and music performances. Sacred chams (mask dances) are performed by the artists clad in beautiful attires. These energetic performances accompany engrossing music from traditional instruments like drums, pipes and cymbals. Shops and stalls selling interesting artefacts and handicrafts are among the highlights. One can also admire the holy exhibits used as ceremonial items like tormas (sacred figures) made of flour and butter, rice and cups containing holy water.
About the Venue
The celebrations take place in the courtyard of Hemis Monastery, which flanks splendid Tibetan architecture and savours the outstanding beauty of nature all around. With its exclusive collection of Buddha statues (made of copper, silver and gold), thangkas and murals and several other artefacts, the monastery attracts flocks of visitors and pilgrims. More than 500 monks residing in the monastery are friendly enough to let you get familiar with their culture.
Visitors’ Information
Dates: July 07-08
How to Reach: Access Leh, the main town of Ladakh, by air or by road and cover the distance of about 40 km. to the monastery by road.
Accommodations: There are budget to luxury hotels, both at Hemis and Leh. One may also seek accommodation at the monastery. Local residents also offer home stays to the tourists.
Useful Tips: It is advised to wear traditional Indian clothes and restrain from wearing the western attires. Respect the customs and enjoy the festival celebrations.
Visiting Ladakh region in the monsoons is a great idea as it receives limited rainfall and the weather is extremely pleasant. You may also plan to extend the trip to Hemis National Park and other amazing attractions of Ladakh.
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