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Everything you Need to Know About the Hemis Festival of Ladakh
Ladakh often felicities the praises of people across the world for its rugged mountains, barren landscape, otherworldly beauty and amicable locals that stand distinct from the rest of the world. A shrine of solitary aptitude, people are drawn to its magnificent abode to experience the humbleness of humanity in front of nature’s fierce beauty. However, there is a time when the tranquillity of Ladakh is interrupted to envelop the valley in a spirit of vivacity. And this is during the annual Hemis festival that takes place in Hemis Monastery.
The jubilant celebrations of the Hemis Festival beckon locals and tourists alike to witness the grand display of Tibetan Buddhism in India. As a festival that encourages fraternity, the festival mingles with entertainment, history, culture, and spirituality to offer a divine experience. When the seemingly impregnable winter fortress begins to thaw, Ladakh hears the calling of this festivity. Furthermore, adorning itself with colours and the symphony of music – the land comes alive to celebrate an age-old history that marks their identity.
This is a festival that you must witness once in your life. Swayed by the gaiety of people in the spirit of the culture, you can’t help but appreciate the beauty of humanity. You certainly cannot travel your fill to enjoy the festival this year and we are in doubt as to the extent of this year’s celebrations. Nevertheless, a virtual tour and the knowledge of this monsoon fest is certainly a bucket list for perhaps the years to come!
What is the Hemis Festival?
The Hemis Festival is one of the biggest and most important festivals organized in Ladakh annually. The festival provides the locals with a break from the biting cold winters and signifies the oncoming summer season. The Hemis Festival is rooted in the history and culture of Ladakh, dubbed as “Mini Tibet”. Moreover, it carries forth the legacy of its culture and serves as a celebration of the win of good versus evil.
The festival is a grand fiesta of the Buddhist culture in India – to be specific, Tibetan Buddhism. It is conducted in the spacious courtyard of the 400-year-old Hemis Monastery, one of the largest and oldest monasteries located in Ladakh. Furthermore, Tibetans gather in the Hemis Monastery to celebrate their culture through enchanting dance performances, captivating rituals, other cultural activities accompanied by a spread of delicious food and local drinks.
You will witness scores of onlookers immersed in the fun that Hemis Festival has to offer. It is almost like a piñata filled with cultural, historical, spiritual entertainment and zeal.
Why is the Hemis Festival celebrated?
Hemis Festival of Ladakh commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava every year. It is a two-day celebration which marks the victory of good versus evil. The festival traces its origins back to the 8th century and celebrates the existence of the significant spiritual figure in Tibetan history – Guru Padmasambhava. Further on, the legend associated with the Hemis Festival is that the spiritual leader Guru Padmasambhava drove out the demons and evil spirits from Ladakh during the 8th century with Buddhism.
Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, was the man who introduced the Himalayan Kingdom to Buddhism and is revered to be the incarnation of Lord Buddha. Thus, the Hemis Festival isn’t just a representation of their culture but a celebration of who they are.
The significance of the Hemis Festival
The frenzy of Hemis Festival is enhanced by the beating of trumpets, cymbals, drums and blaring horns that serenade the valley of Hemis in Ladakh. Once the first rays of the sun hit the valley, the festival begins with the followers seeking blessings from Guru Padmasambhava’s portrait. Soon, the highlight of the festival, the Cham Dance, which is a masked dance performance brings life to the festival. This slow dance is a narration of the war between good and evil wherein good gets the upper hand.
Furthermore, the vibrant buzz of the environment fills up with people displaying their colourful traditional dresses. You’ll even come across the marvellous sight of the Lamas decked with traditional dresses for the occasion. The stalls lining the festival present beautiful Tibetan souvenirs and handicrafts for sale here. A site of thriving culture and prosperity – a sight to behold, indeed.
Highlights of the festival
The holistic experience of the festival is an embodiment of buoyancy and is quite wonderful to witness. But there are several highlights of the festival that you must stick around for and make sure to witness.
Cham Dance
The Cham Dance is the main attraction of the festival. Also referred to as the ‘masked dance’, the performance is a testimony to the successive legacy of Tibetan culture and history. The main purpose of the Cham Dance is to destroy all evil and obstacles. The performers adorn themselves with long gowns, elaborate masks that signify the good and evil characters associated with the legend. Interestingly, each mask holds a unique signature which is relevant to the story.
The main dancers of the performance are dressed in black hats and occupy the centre stage with people performing around them. Moreover, a few of them even hold weapons in their hands. The victory of good versus evil is signified through the act of the main dancers striking down the devil idols made of dough. This implies the warding off of evil spirits. Further on, the idols are smashed and scattered into four corners of the courtyard which symbolises the purification of the soul after death. The musical instruments that accompany the dance create a rapturous environment keeping everybody on their toes.
