|
|
|
The festival of Hemis is
celebrated on the 10th day (Tse-Chu)
 of
the Tibetan lunar month which is the birthday of Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche),
who was the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Hundreds of followers of Budhism come from
Tibet, Ladakh & other parts of world, dressed in their finest attire.
Though this 2-day event takes place annually, once every 12 years in the Tibetan
Year of the Monkey, the Hemis Monastery will host the ritual unfurling of a giant
Thangka (Buddhist religious mural) depicting Padmasambhava.
The Thangka is richly embroidered with pearls and semi-precious stones and hangs
two-storeys down, covering almost the entire facade of the building.
Hemis in Ladakh is situated at a distance of 40 km southeast of
 Leh.
Famous for spectacular scenic beauty, exotic wildlife, varied cultural influences
and the historic Hemis Monastery.
Noteworthy amongst the many treasures housed within the monastery, is the exquisite
Buddha Shakyamuni, which is studded with precious gems. The serene-faced colossus
sits in the Cho-khang chamber at the far end of the courtyard, along with some richly
inlaid, silver Chortens.
|
HEMIS MONASTERY.
40 km from Leh, it is the wealthiest, best-known and biggest gompa of Ladakh. Its
popularity stems from the major annual festival held here in summer. The festival
is in honour of Guru Padma Sambhav's birth anniversary. It also has the largest
Thangkha in Ladakh, which is unfurled, once in 12 years (next in 2004) Hemis was
built in 1630 during the reign of Sengge Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh.
It flourished under the Namgyal dynasty for the royalty favoured the Drugpa sect,
which managed the monastery.
It is divided into two, the assembly hall on the right and the main temple on the
left. The hall Dukhang is also used as "green room" by the dancers during the festival.
The temple is known as Tshogkhang. The varandahs have a surfeit of frescoes, among
them the Buddhist 'wheel of life' (Kalachakra) and the lords of the four quarters,
besides the prayer wheel.
Splendid masked dances are performed to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums & long
horns. A colorful fair, displaying some beautiful handicrafts, is the special highlight
of the festival.
|
Itinerary
|
HEMIS FESTIVAL
SPECIAL |
|
(06N/07D)
|
|
Day 01
|
Arrive leh, meet, assist
and transfer to hotel, day rest for acclimatization O/N at hotel. |
|
Day 02
|
Visit spituk, phyang and
alchi monasteries O/N at hotel.
|
|
Day 03
|
Back to leh via likir monastery
and basgo castle O/N at hotel.
|
|
Day 04
|
Hemis festival day one evening
visit thiksay monastery O/N at hotel.
|
|
Day 05
|
Trip to pangong lake and
return. O/N at hotel.
|
|
Day 06
|
Khardungla top(world highest
motorable road) or white river rafting evening explore leh town. O/N at hotel.
|
|
Day 07
|
Fly Back.
|
|
|
