The Hemis Festival is one of the biggest and most famous religious festivals in Ladakh, celebrated in the Hemis Monastery, which is the largest Buddhist monastery in the region. This vibrant festival marks the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, who is believed to have protected the local people from demons. The ideal time to witness the Hemis Festival is during its annual occurrence, which is calculated according to the Tibetan lunar calendar and typically falls in the month of June or July. The exact date varies each year, so it's important to check the calendar for the current year. The festivities last for two days, with the celebrations involving colorful masked dances, rituals, and a fair full of local handicrafts.
During the festival, visitors are treated to the Cham Dance, performed by the lamas, dressed in elaborate costumes and masks, depicting various characters. The dance is accompanied by music played on traditional instruments such as drums, cymbals, and trumpets. Visiting during the Hemis Festival not only allows one to experience the essence of Ladakhi culture but also offers the rare opportunity to see the display of the sacred Thangka – a huge tapestry of Guru Padmasambhava, which is unfurled once every 12 years during the festival. The summers in Ladakh are pleasant and the weather during June and July is one of the best times for tourists to explore the region, making it an excellent time to plan your visit to coincide with the Hemis Festival.
