Hemis Monastery

The wealthiest monastery of Ladakh and India, Hemis Monastery belongs to the Drukpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. While driving to Pangong one has to take the left road from Karu, and for Hemis, you take the right road, cross the river and proceed ahead. At first glance, Hemis reminded me of a secret Inca city. Hidden inside a gorge, it is not visible until you are close enough. Located at a distance of 45 km from Leh, this monastery is the main seat of the Kagyu school of Buddhism.

The gompa hosts the annual Hemis Festival which attracts tourists and media from across the world. The two-day festival is held in June/July to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava—the founder of Tantric Buddhism (Vajrayana) in Tibet. The start of the festival is signalled by blowing off two 3-metre long brass trumpets and showcasing of Guru Padmasambhava’s portrait which is brought out by the chief lama in the monastery’s rectangular courtyard. What follows is the colourful masked dance (known as cham dance) by resident lamas in the courtyard.