Hemis Gompa in Ladakh
Travel to India > Ladakh > Hemis Gompa in LadakhHemis Gompa in Ladakh is located at a distance of 47 kms from Leh in a gorge, on the west bank of the River Indus. It was founded by the first incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso. It holds the credit of being the richest and the biggest Gompa in Ladakh. There are rich collections of ancient relics in the monastery. Gompa is also known as monastery. Hemis Gompa flourished under Namgyal dynasty.
Hemis Gompa is divided into two parts. One part is the assembly hall on the right and the main temple known as Tshogkhang, on the left. During the annual festival, the hall 'Dukhang' is also used as the green room. The verandas are the surfeit of frescoes. Among these frescoes you will find Buddhist wheel of life which is also known as 'kalachakra' and the lords of the four quarters beside the prayer wheel. The Hemis Gompa is adorned with several gold and silver stupas, copper-guilt statue of Lord Buddha, thankas and many other delicate things of religious importance.
Attractions at Hemis Gompa
The Hemis Gompa is a venue of annual festival which is known as Hemis festival. The Hemis festival is celebrated as commemoration of birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. This is a vibrant two day festival. On this august occasion, the locals are clad to their best in the traditional dresses. On this festival, the thangka of the monastery that is as high as a building of two storeyes; is displayed after every 12 years. The thangkas is a holy applique work tapestry that is wrought with pearls depicting Guru Padmasambhava. The last time it was recently exhibited was in the year 2004.
Every year at the monastery, a sacred mask dance is also performed. This dance is a great attraction for the people. The dance takes place on the 9th and 10th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan calendar and is performed by the lamas also known as 'chhams'. The whole function is presided by the head lama. Sacred plays accompanied by cymbals, long horns and drums are also performed by them. A fair is also organized there which all the more attracts people.
The Hemis Gompa or monastery in Ladakh belongs to the Dugpa order. It was founded in 1630 A.D. Above the Hemis Gompa; there is a holy hermitage that also demands a visit. This hermitage was founded by Gyalwa Kotsang and the hermitage still holds the meditation cave of Gyalwa Kotsang and his handprints and footprints on the sacred shrines and the rock. The Hemis Gompa is a place of great religious importance and you witness extreme tranquility spread here.