Hemis Monastary (Biggest Monastary in Ladakh)

Address: Leh-Manali Road, Hemis
Open Hours: 08:00 AM to 01:00 PM & 02:00 PM to 06:00 PM

About

      Hemis Monastery is the largest Tibetan monastery in the Ladakh region. It is one of the most visited monasteries by tourists on a trip to Leh Ladakh. It sits on a mountain on the west side of the Indus River, only 45 km away from the town of Leh and is one of the prime attractions of the Ladakh trip.

      Hemis Monastery belongs to the Drukpa lineage or the red sect of Buddhism and is said to have been first established in the 11th century, and then re-established in the 17th century (the year 1670 approximately) by the then King Sengge Namgyal. So manifestly, it is enriched with a great deal of history and legends.

       Naropa is considered as the “Abbott of Nalanda,” the famed monastery/university in the present-day Bihar. This Nalanda University flourished in its full glory until it was sacked by the Afghan-Turkish invaders, which could be the cause of Naropa’s peregrination to the North, and ultimately Hemis, where he consequently met Tilopa.        

        It was then that Naropa and Tilopa both traveled back to another university in the then kingdom of Magadha in Bihar, called Otantra, which is no longer in existence now. Naropa went on to become the founding father of the esoteric Buddhist lineage of Kagyu. Thus Hemis became the seat of this Kagyu lineage of Himalayan Buddhism.

        Hemis boasts of an array of art and culture. Every year in the month of June Hemis witnesses a high-spirited. Hemis festival dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche).His birth anniversary falls on the 10th day of the fifth month of the Monk year of the Tibetan calendar. What’s interesting to know here is that this day comes once every 12 years. Thus, it is celebrated as an extravaganza with great festivity and fervor.

           Besides the iconic copper gilded statue of Lord Buddha, the monastery houses a wide collection of historical and religious paintings called Thangkas and various stupas and statues made of gold, silver, and other precious metals. There is a museum within the monastery where numerous carriers, weapons, and other Buddhist relics and artifacts are displayed. 

         The Hemis Monastery is one of the world’s highest settlements at the height of 12000 feet and is the center of Drukpa ancestry where they train Lamas for all the royal monasteries.

                                For More Detail Visit:

                 1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemis_Monastery
                 2) https://www.lehladakhindia.com/hemis-monastery/
               

May 09, 2020 Tags : Information

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