Hemis Festival: Experience The Majestic Celebration Of Spirituality In Ladakh

The legend of Guru Padmasambhava dates back to the late 8th century. He introduced tantric Buddhism in the Himalayan kingdom. A powerful spiritual leader, he is said to have banished demons and evil spirits saving the locals from their negative captivity. He played a major role in the spread of Buddhism in Tibet. He pronouncedly had eight manifestations or avatars in which he preached religion to people. His different avatars were said to have used different ways of preaching, where one avatar was a calm teacher and the other would use an iron hand.    

Celebrated at Hemis Gompa, the biggest monastery in Ladakh, the festival is held in the spacious courtyard of the Gompa where the two days are celebrated with dances, music, and performances. Devotees and tourists alike, from all over the world gather to witness the festival, where the ground reverberates with the beats of drums, clashing of cymbals, and rhythmic ringing of bells. The monastery adorned with thangkas (Buddhist paintings) of Mahasiddhas and large statues of Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava immerses the devotees in a sense of tranquillity. 

This year, the festival will be celebrated on 28-29 June. Picture: Shutterstock

The festival commences with the blowing of Dungchen (long trumpets) by two monks in front of the flagpole. This is followed by dances in a circle around the sacred pole, done in coordinated steps. There is extensive use of damru and bells, their synchronised beats captivating the exceedingly large gathering at the festival.   

The victory of good over evil

The Chaam dance stands out to be a major part of the festival where the lamas and monks perform the dance. For this sacred dance, they are masked in Guru Padmasambhava’s eight different avatars. As a part of the dance, a sculpture made out of dough, which is coloured red, is destroyed with a sword by a masked lama. This signifies the destruction of evil. The sculpture is broken and burnt, and the ashes are thrown in different directions resulting in the purification of the soul after death.  

Breaking the red coloured dough during the Hemis Festival. Picture: Shutterstock

The Hemis Festival is the biggest cultural celebration of the Buddhist and Tibetan communities. The calm skies of Ladakh witness the vibrating ground full of colour and movement during the two-day celebration. Be a part of the Hemis Festival and witness the cultural richness and spiritual significance of the Hemis Gompa. It for sure will give you a profound appreciation of not just Ladakh’s picturesque landscape but also its unique traditions. 

Note: It is imperative to follow the dress code while visiting the Gompa. Photography inside the Gompa is strictly prohibited.