Ladakh Hemis Festival

ABOUT HEMIS FESTIVAL:
Hemis monastery is biggest and the most important monastery in Ladakh. It is situated 45 kms to south of Leh, a little off the main Leh-Manali road. It was built in the 17th century by Chapgon Gyalshas and ever since has enjoyed the patronage of the royal family. Hemis is the headquarter of the Drukpa order and all the monasteries throughout Ladakh are administered by it. It also trains Lamas for the royal monasteries at Leh, Shey and Bazgo. In the 19th century it faced a siege by General Zorawar Singh. The Gompa was saved to the skillful handing of the situation by the head Lama. In 1956 the head Lama Hemis Gompa disappeared mysteriously never to be seen again. The monastery contains quite a few gold statue and stupas decorated with precious stones. It has a superb collection of tankhas, including one, which is supposed to be the largest in existence and is exhibited only once every 12 years. The monastery's annual festival is a big tourist attraction. Masked dances are held on that day and is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava. Every 12 years, the gompa's greatest treasure, a huge thangka - a religious icon painted or embroidered on cloth is ritually exhibited and the last time it was exhibited on 28 &29 June 2004.

The 2-day festival popularly known as 'Hemis Tse Chu' is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, founder of Tibetan Buddhism and the patron saint of Tibet. Mystic dances called "Chhams" are performed by Lamas in the guise of various guardian divinities of the Drukpa order and legendary characters. Chhams is a highly choreographed sacred dance-drama performed by the Lamas of the monastery to the accompaniment of mystic music played by the monastic orchestra. These dances are performed not only to symbolise the destruction of evil spirit and dramatise the illusorines of life but also a ritual offerings to the deities of the monastery and guardian of faith. During the festival the votive offerings 'Storma' are consecrated and destroyed on the last day. The two storeyed Thanka (painted scroll) of Padmasambhava was displayed in the year 2004 on 28/29 June. This famous Thanka is richly embroidered with pearls and semi precious stones.

Day 01: Arrive Leh in the morning. Met at the airport and transfer to hotel. Day at leisure for acclimatisation. Overnight in hotel.

Day 02: Leh. AM at leisure for acclimatisation. PM visit Sankar monastery, Shanti Stupa & Leh Palace.

Day 03: Drive Leh - Uleytokpo via Alchi & Likir monasteries. Overnight in Uley Ethnic Resort at Uley Tokpo - 70 kms from Leh.

Day 04: Fullday excursion to Lamayuru and drive back to Leh via Ridzong and Basgo Fort/Palace. O/N hotel.
Lamayuru Monastery is about 55 Kms from Uley Tokpo and is remarkably built on a rock on the Leh - Srinagar highway, far below the road. It is the most mysterious and oldest monastery in ladakh built in the 10th Century. Ridzong Monastery is on the north of Indus from Uley Tokpo and was built about 140 years ago. It beautifully set in the Valley in a gorge and is the most isolated Monastery in Ladakh. Basgo Palace and Fort was built by King Jamyang Namgyal & his son Singay Namgyal in the 16th century. Singay Namgyak made a three storeyed copper guilted image of Maitriya Buddha in memory of his father Jamyang Namgyal which stands out.

Day 05: Drive to Hemis monastery - 45 km. Fullday attend Hemis Tsechu Festival. O/N hotel in Leh.

Day 06: Drive to Hemis. Attend Hemis Festival. Evening drive back to Leh. Enroute visit Thiksey and Shey monasteries. O/N hotel.

Day 07: Leh. AM drive to Khardong La top (5570 mts) and enjoy a panaromic view all around from the top. After lunch visit Spituk and Phyang monasteries. O/N hotel.

Day 08: Leh. Day at leisure. Evening enjoy a cultural dance programme by a local troupe at the hotel.

Day 09: Departure transfer to the airport to fly back to Delhi.