Hemis Festival 2017 – Ladakh 2

This is the time when the summer has seeped into the nook and corners of Ladakh while the winter is safely tucked away. The people are seen welcoming the warmth as they eagerly await the celebrations of their largest Hemis festival that takes place in Hemis. The biggest Tibetan monastery of Ladakh is situated here called the Hemis Monastery.

Every year, on the 10^th day of Tibetan Lunar month called as Tse Chu, the Monastery holds a two-day celebration to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava who is often said to be a reincarnation of Buddha. Guru Padmasambhava is believed to have fought demons for the people of Ladakh and helping people on the path of spirituality has been his life’s mission.

The Hemis festival is held at the Hemis Gompa- the courtyard of the monastery. Hemis festival 2017 is being celebrated on 3rd -4th July. Scores of people gather here to participate in the celebrations and apart from the local crowd; a lot of tourists are also seen. The locals put on their best traditional garbs and the monastery is decorated with confectioneries and flowers, making the place look exploding with colors. The monastery which houses about 500 Lamas plays host to hundreds of people who come to see the Hemis festival.

The Hemis Festival celebrations start by the Head Lama bringing out the portrait of Guru Padmasambhava into the courtyard for everyone to seek blessings. Then the Lamas of the monastery called ‘Chhams’ put on splendid masks depicting various guardian divinities of the Dugpa order which this monastery has been the leading establishment. These Chhams re-enact the feats performed by Guru Padmasambhava, accompanied by the beats and music of long horns, drums and cymbals. Which together make a unique music that strums through the people as they are seen tapping and swaying with the beat. The Chhams also perform their traditional dance and plays which has an underlying message of the triumph of good over evil.

This 200 year old Hemis festival was first introduced by a member of Ladakh’s ruling family who was later said to be reincarnated as the monastery’s Head Lama known as ‘Sras Rimoche’ in the 18^th century. The festival has been celebrated every year since then with rising faith and enthusiasm. However, every 12 years, the festival has a unique feature where the two storey high ‘Thangka’ of Guru Padmasambhava is brought out to be displayed. It is a sacred Buddhist painting embroidered with rich pearls and semi-precious jewels on pristine silk cloth.

Apart from the celebrations that go on for 2 days, shopkeepers and hawkers set up their stalls outside the monastery selling wares – souvenirs and gift items especially for the tourists that come here. Traditional items such as garbs, hats, masks, good luck charms, etc. are some of the popular things sold here at this time.

As it is held in the peak season of summer, this festival attracts a lot of visitors from within and outside India.

If you’re planning to visit Hemis festival 2016, then you must check out 23 must see places in Leh – Ladakh.