The monasteries, the spiritual hub of all social activities in Ladakh, are also the centre of annual cultural heritage, the celebration of festival in each monastery, according to the lunar calendar; in commemoration of the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava.
A rare landscape of bleak rock and gravel, Ladakh is dotted, with towering edifices of granite and grail mountains which surround it. It is an exotic land of monasteries carved in to hillsides. Statues of the Buddha, Bodhisattva and lamas of rich art treasures, and of paintings and murals, each one a further testimony of a glorious civilization that once survived.
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| Hemis Festival Celebration |
Hemis, the biggest monastery in Ladakh, is the site of an annual festival commemorating the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. Masked dancers simulate a combat between good spirits and demons to the sounds of cymbals, drums and pipes. Young and old, lama and commoners throng the monastery to participate in the celebrations. Intensive devotion, gaiety and heady incense fill the air, for three days. The monastery also has the largest thankas or scrolls in Ladakh. A fair, simultaneously held in the vicinity of the monastery on these days, is an occasion for brisk trade by tradesmen from nearby villages. On sale are local handicrafts, semi precious stones, beads and silver trinkets. Hemis festival, celebrated in Hemis monastery (40 Km from Leh), is famous and celebrated with ritual traditions. People from all over Ladakh come to attend this two day festival in Hemis monastery, the biggest monastery and the spiritual center of Buddhists. The monks in the monastery, undertake prayers for seven days before the festival and perform an impressive continuous dance for two days during the festival. The Masks worn, represent various Gods and demons. The whole festival signifies the triumph of good over evil. It is also the birthday of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of the Buddhist red sect.
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