Hemis Festival is one of the most important Buddhist celebrations in Ladakh which has been luring tourists from across the world. The festival is celebrated in Leh marking the birth of Guru Padmasambhava.
The special feature of this festival is that it is organised in one among the most visited monasteries which is Hemis Gompa. It is a two-day event that is celebrated on the 10th day of the fifth month of the Tibetan Calendar, which is the month of June/July in the Gregorian Calendar.
You will be amazed to see Lamas dancing with masks on traditional beats. The sounds of drums and cymbal and the tunes of long pipes like Tibetan music instruments will amuse your ears.
On both days, giant thangkas (Buddhist paintings) are unfurled for the public. In fact, every 12th year, the largest thangka in Ladakh is unfurled in Hemis on the first day of the festival for the public to see.
Festival Dates/Months :June/July
Highlights of Hemis Festival :
- Cham Dance
- Unfurling of Thangkas (Buddhist paintings)
- Remember:
- If you are a tourist from anywhere outside Ladakh, remember that you will have to pay Rs 400 each however you might have to stand up and watch the event as VIP culture is quite strong here and they are give sitting positions first leaving tourists stranded in queues.