Hemis Monastery Leh
Hemis is situated around 45 kms to the south of Leh on the western banks of the Indus River. The Hemis Monastery is the biggest and very richly endowed monastery of Ladakh. It was built in 1630. Impressive and intriguing, Hemis is different from the other important monasteries of Ladakh. The monastery is decorated on all four sides by colourful prayer flags which flutter in the breeze and send prayers to Lord Buddha.
The main building has white walls. The entrance to the complex is through a big gate that reaches a large courtyard. The stones of the walls are decorated and painted with religious figures. On the northern side are two assembly halls, and as in most of the monasteries one can also see the guardian deities and the Wheel of Life here. The Hemis Monastery also has an important library of Tibetan books and a very impressive and valuable collection of Thangkas, gold statues and Stupas embedded with precious stones.
One of the largest Thangkas is displayed every 12 years during the Hemis Festival, held for two days in June-July. The annual festival, commemorating the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava brings alive the courtyard of the monastery. The festival, where good triumphs over evil in a colourful pageant, also holds the annual 'bazaar' where Ladakhis from remote areas buy and sell wares. During the festival, various rituals and mask dances are performed in this courtyard. Hemis is about 40 km from Leh and can be visited comfortably in one day if one is traveling by car or jeep.
Things to Do and See in and around
Hemis Monastery has a beautiful architecture, which is quite interesting to witness. One can pay homage to the two large statues of Lord Buddha and Guru Rimpoche. Also, there is a museum that exhibits a large collection of Buddhist relics and several ancient items that suggest there existed a rich culture here. On the occasion of Hemis Festival, one can enjoy the Cham Dance or Masked Dance here for two days.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Hemis is during the two-day Hemis Festival, which is held annually in the month of June or July. One can see the famed Cham Dance during the festival and the display of age old Thangkas.
Leh Ladakh Monuments
Leh Ladakh Monuments For any traveller Ladakh is a dream destination. Serene Valleys, high mountain passes, picturesque villages, undulating plains, pristine alpine lakes and snow-clad Himalayan peaks; beauty of this mysterious land remains largely unchanged to this day. The tranquility and serenity of the place attracts many holiday seekers and nature lovers from all over the world Of the world to rest in the lap of nature. With its variety of trekking, mountain-climbing, mountain biking, river rafting adventure activities; the place is also a favorite among adventure junkies. On top it all, the sheer abundance of wildlife in Ladakh offers wildlife enthusiasts a great environment for bird watching and nature exploration, too, who throng on explore here the treasures of wildlife hidden in the reaches of Himalayas. When you are planning a trip to Ladakh, Where to go and what to see in Leh-Ladakh; these are the very first questions that will surely cross your mind. With this blog, we've tried to provide you with a curated travel information guide for Leh-Ladakh trip listing the top 50 attractions to be visited during your Ladakh vacation. This guide will also help you jot down the best travel plan for the Leh-Ladakh trip so that you can explore each and every corner of this beautiful land.
