The Hemis Festival is a two-day Buddhist festival celebrated in the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh. It is held on the 10th day of the 5th month in the Tibetan lunar calendar, which typically falls in the month of June or July in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is a celebration of the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, who is considered the second Buddha.
More About the Hemis Festival
The festival is a colorful and vibrant affair, with traditional Tibetan music, dance, and masked performances.
- The highlight of the festival is the unfurling of the giant Thangka of Guru Padmasambhava, which is a large and elaborate Buddhist painting.
- The Thangka is only unfurled every 12 years, so it is a rare and special event.
The Hemis Festival is a popular tourist attraction, and it is a great opportunity to experience the rich culture and traditions of Ladakh. If you are planning a trip to Ladakh, be sure to time your visit to coincide with the Hemis Festival.
Most Popular Attractions of the Festival
- Traditional Tibetan dances, including the Cham Dance, which is a masked dance that tells stories from Buddhist mythology.
- The giant Thangka of Guru Padmasambhava, which is only unfurled every 12 years.
- Traditional Tibetan music, including the long horns and cymbals.
- The Hemis Monastery, which is one of the largest and richest Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh.
- Learn about the history and culture of Ladakh from the monks and locals.
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Hemis Festival Ladakh – FAQs
When is the Hemis Festival held?
The Hemis Festival is held on the 10th day of the 5th month in the Tibetan lunar calendar, which typically falls in the month of June or July in the Gregorian calendar.
What is the significance of the Hemis Festival?
The Hemis Festival is a celebration of the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, who is considered the second Buddha. He is said to have brought Buddhism to Ladakh in the 8th century, and he is credited with defeating the forces of evil and spreading the Dharma. The festival is a way for the people of Ladakh to celebrate their Buddhist heritage and to pay homage to Guru Padmasambhava.
When was the UT of Ladakh formed?
The Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh was formed on 31 October 2019, following the passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. The act bifurcated the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, namely, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.
