Once In Twelve Years Naropa Festival Is All Set To Begin In Himalayas

Once in 12 years: Leh gears up for the

 'Kumbh of Himalayas'

A once-in-12-years carnival of Buddhist spirituality, culture and tradition -- and a grand congregation of Drukpa masters -- is set to begin this week at the 17th century Hemis monastery of Drukpa lineage, the largest such in the Himalayas.

Organisers say the fourth edition of the Naropa festival, a celebration of the 1,000th birth anniversary of the great Indian saint Naropa, is likely to see more than 200,000 devotees, mainly from Ladakh, Bhutan and Nepal, during the week-long celebrations, beginning September 16. It's rightly called the Kumbh of the Himalayas.

The festival also attracts people from across the globe, including celebrities. This time, Hollywood stars Michelle Yeoh and Robert Kennedy Junior will be attending, among others.

The rare public display of six bone ornaments and the unfurling of the ancient silk Thangka of Buddha Amitabha, the largest silk brocade in the Himalayas, are among the main highlights of the Naropa festival.

Explaining the display of six sacred ornaments, spiritual leader Thuksey Rinpoche told IANS: "It's rare indeed since this opportunity comes only once in 12 years." He said the moment saint Naropa achieved enlightenment he was offered the six bone ornaments by Dakinis.

"These ornaments are revered relics of Buddhism and historic symbols of a great Himalayan odyssey. From Naropa, several Buddhist traditions flourished throughout India, Central Asia and beyond. For close to 1,000 years, the six bone ornaments have been used as a relic of devotional support," said the 30-year-old Rinpoche, the spiritual regent to the Gyalwang Drukpa, the 54-year-old spiritual head of the Drukpa Order with over 1,000 monasteries across the Himalayas.

On the millennial birth anniversary of saint Naropa, the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa will don the six ornaments to grant the grand Chakrasamvara empowerment.

Believers say the devotees can attain "liberation on sight" on seeing the six ornaments.

Naropa festival authorities say a Guinness World Record will be broken on September 16 for the largest projected image on to the famed Hemis monastery, 40 km from Leh.

The last record was achieved by the Moscow International Festival "Circle of Light" on October 4, 2015, with a dazzling video animation projected on to the famous Ministry of Defence building.

Over 200 kung fu nuns belonging to various nunneries of the Drukpa sect, who reached Leh this month after traversing 2,500 km on cycles from Kathmandu, will also give drum as well as theatrical performances during the festival.

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).