The annual celebration of Ladakh's Hemis Festival is approaching. Lock the dates as the two-day Hemis Festival will take place in Ladakh on July 8-9. On the tenth day of the lunar month, also known as Tse-Chu, Hemis Festival is celebrated on occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava.
The grand Hemis Monastery is in Ladakh is the major attraction. Throughout the festival time, you will get to see the monastery all decorated, and prepared for the marvellous artistic festival. This is also the best time to encounter the Ladakhi civilization.
The locals, in their customary best, assemble in the sanctuary yard where the main festival takes place. Lamas in traditional attires and multi coloured camouflages open the festival with cham, also known as the masked dance. The incredible masks and headgears have distinct purposes and are of artistic importance.
The limelight of the celebration:
• Cham Dance: Significant segment of the festival is the Cham Dance, also comprehended as the God Dance. Owing to its cultural relevancy, it is specially performed by monks and lamas.
• Devil Dances: These dances are also served at the celebration and are an important element of it.
• Handicrafts: The locals put on a handicrafts exhibition, which all visitors appreciate.
• Chang: Hailed as a traditional festival drink that you must taste!
The backstory of the festival
In the 8th century, it was perceived that the locals were shattered by evil spirits and demons. It was Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche, who devoted the day, and people began observing this victory over wickedness. Essentially, the Hemis Festival is observed to keep negative sources at bay and accept new vitality that is filled with expectancy and optimistic significance. It was through Guru Padmasambhava that Tantric Buddhism was introduced in the Himalayan area. Hemis Festival is also a festival of Buddhism and Tibetan civilisation.
Do keep the below-mentioned things in mind before planning a tour to partake in Hemis Festival, Ladakh:
• Tourists are always asked to esteem the festival atmosphere and the regional traditions.
• The Hemis Festival is a sacred occasion, so dress properly.
• As this is an outside event, bring a sun protector to get saved from Sun harsh rays of summers of Ladakh.
• It is rigidly prohibited to photograph the prayer arena of the monastery gallery.
Planning a leh-ladakh trip in upcoming months, also have a look at famous places to visit in Ladakh
