Hemis Monastery

Hemis

#2 Among Things To Do in Hemis

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Label : Top Attraction

Tags : Buddhist Temple

Timings : 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Time Required : 2-3 hrs

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Hemis Monastery, Hemis Overview

Hemis Monastery is a Buddhist monastery located 45 kms south of Leh. Built by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal, it is ranked as one of the wealthiest monasteries in India. Hemis Monastery is most visited during the annual Hemis Festival, held every year in early June. Hemis Monastery houses a spectacular copper statue of Lord Buddha along with stupas made of gold and silver, thangkas (a painting on cotton or silk, depicting Buddhist deity) and murals.

The vast courtyard and a picturesque verandah are adorned with colourful paintings of Buddhist Kalachakra. Hemis Monastery belongs to the Red sect or Dugpa Kargyupta order of Buddhism. All four sides of the monastery are decorated with the colourful prayer flags which flutter in the breeze and sends out prayers to Lord Buddha. It is also an institution for the teaching of Tantric Vajrayana.

1. Hemis Festival, Ladakh

The Hemis Festival, a two-day festival hosted at the Hemis Gompa Monastery celebrates the birth of Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Celebrated on the 10th day of the Tibetan Lunar month (Read More), the main highlight of Hemis festival is the gathering of the lamas around the central flagpole of monastery, where they perform the mystic mask dances (Chams) and sacred plays.

Timings : 30th June 2020 to 1st July 2020

Time Required : July

Entry Fee : No entry fee