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Enjoy the 12 year Tibetan Buddhist festival at the Hemis monastery in
Leh Ladakh, masked dances at the Hemis festival, Buddhist pilgrimage to
Hemis Monastery in Ladakh,
OVERVIEW: Situated at a distance of about 40 km southeast of Leh,
Hemis takes its name from the world famous Buddhist Gompa (Monastery)
situated there. King Senge Nampar Gyalva established the Hemis monastery
in 1672 AD. Standing in the stillness of the a hidden valley, this
impressive fortress like monastery is built in the Tibetan style of
architecture. The Buddhism practiced at the Hemis monastery is a direct
lineal descent of the teachings expounded in the Mahayana Tantra School,
or the esoteric school of Vajrayana, also known as the Drukpa school of
Tibetan Buddhism. Hemis is, however, best known for its colorful
festival held on days leading up to the 10th day of the Fifth lunar
month (June/July). During this festival monks perform their traditional
dances to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava and
includes sacred masked dances reenacting the destruction of the evil
forces. Every twelve years, the Gompa's greatest treasure, a huge
Thangka - a religious scroll painted and embroidered on silk cloth, is
exhibited. This great event is a magnet to Buddhist throughout the
region, which make a pilgrimage to Hemis to witness the ritual dances
and the sacred thangka scroll. The next unveiling of this wonderful
piece of religious art is due to take place in year 2004. Splendid
masked dances are performed to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and
long horns. This religious fair, that attracts the beautifully attired
locals amongst a display of ethnic handicraft, is the special highlight
of the festival.
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