Hemis Festival - The Festival Highlight Is The Dance Performances And Plays By Masked Lamas

HEMIS FESTIVAL

AT

LEH

 Festivities take place in the popular Hemis Gompa, which is situated at a distance of 45 kilometres away from Leh. One of the well-known cultural festivals is Ladakh's Hemis Festival. People specifically travel for this festival, which is a two-day festival, to Ladakh

The birth of Guru Rimpoche also known as Lord Padmasambhava is the occasion which is celebrated during Hemis Festivals. The spiritual leader is conferred as the local savior.

 The leader of Tantric Buddhism it is said that he introduced Buddhism in the Himalayan Kingdom as early as the 8^th century.

The festival highlight is the dance performances and plays by masked lamas. The masked dance represents the good prevailing over evil. The participants of the spellbinding performance are dressed in vibrant costumes and bright masks.

Every mask has its own place in Tibetan and Buddhist legends. Signifying aspects of good and evil, they are designed as humblem divine faces, animals, skeletons and numerous frightful figurines.

 Dancers can be seen with slow dance movements and fanciful expressions. The masked dance performance is created on music medley of sounds of drums,trumpets and cymbals.

 The famous padmasambhava dance, the highlight of the dance shows the victory of the ruta demons. The dances are spellbinding as the divine is represented and its said to be purifying your soul.

Every 12^th year known as the Tibetan year of the Monkey, Hemis Monastery Festival takes an auspicious turn.

The unfurling of the largest thangkha (12 meters) from the second floor of the monastery for the world to see shall happen in 2016 after 12 years. The scripture is worth seeing as it is so delicately preserved.

Inside the monastery and outside during the festival check out the stalls. From delightful tastes of the mountain kingdom to unique handicrafts of the region the sight are wonderful.

Residents of remote villages, adventure seekers, photographers and travelers make their way her to be a part of the festival.after a tough winter the chills have become bearable, the Hemis monastery opens its doors to enjoy festivities.

The date every year changes as it is celebrated every year on the tenth day of the Lunar calendar of the Tibetan month. In 2016 the festival is to be celebrated on 14^th and 15^th july. This festival will be unique as the special ceremony which happens once in 12 years, the unfurling of the largest Thangkha is scheduled during the occasion.

By Air

Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is the main airport of the area. The flights are directly connected from Delhi, Srinagar and Jammu; by the flights run by Air India, Go Air and Jet Airways. The schedules are set already though, but these are subject to change according to the weather. It is advised that you keep your plans flexible.

By Train

Pathankot and Chandigarh are the closest railway stations to Leh, still a three-day bus ride away. This is one route that most travellers to Leh avoid.

By Bus

From Jammu and Kashmir or from Manali, if you're planning to approach Leh in a bus, get ready for an adventurous bumpy ride. It’s got what it takes to become the ride of a lifetime and will take at least 4 days (starting at New Delhi).