Hemis Festival In India
March 1st, 2010 | 
Author: Hemis Festival In India
Thanks to the diverse culture traditions exotic locations unique wildlife of late India has emerged as most sought after tourist destination in the entire world. It is a land full of colors and festivals. Every religion as well as every season in India are linked with one and more festivals which are celebrated with utmost joy and gaiety.
These splendorous festivals are the lifeline of the India culture and tradition. Some of the famous Indian festivals are Holi Diwali Janmashtami Durga puja Christmas Guru Nanak Jayanti Buddha Purnima and many more. These festivals are the main source of communal harmony in the country. They aids to maintain the national integration of the country.
Similar to these aforementioned festivals another unique festival of India is Hemis Festival. It is one of the most revered festival of the Buddhist community. The main venue for this colorful festival is the Hemis monastery 40km from Leh in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. This is an annual festival which is held in this monastery only. Hemis monastery is the largest Buddhist monastery in the entire Ladakh. This monastery was built by the Sengge Namgyal of the Namgyal dynasty in 1630 A.D.
Every year the vibrant Hemis festival is celebrated on the tenth day of lunar month in accordance with the Tibetan calendar June July. This festival is celebrated as to mark the birth anniversary of the 12th Guru Padma Sambhava or Guru Gyalwang Drukchen Rimpoche the most honored incarnation of Lord Budha. He was the founder of Tibetan Buddhism and spreads the messages of Lord Buddha throughout Ladakh. According to an old legend Guru Rimpoche had fought with the demons to save the lives of the local people.
Hemis festival is a two day long festival during which the lamas or monks gather around the flagpole in the courtyard of the monastery and performs the masked dance and plays. These fantastic masked dances are performed on the beats of drums cymbals and long horns. This festival is celebrated to mark the victory of good over bad. At the end of the masked dance the leader of the black hat dancers destroys an idol made up of dough and spreads in the four directions. After this a devil dance is also performed. The entire programme of the Hemis festival is preceded by the head lama of the monastery.
Hemis monastery is also renowned for the largest Thanka in entire Ladakh which is unfurled once in every 12 years. Every year on the occasion of Hemis festival this twostorey high Thanka which depicts the image of Guru Padmasambhava is displayed for the devotees. It is embroidered with semiprecious stones and pearls.
Another special highlight of the Hemis festival is the colorful fair which is the best option to see and purchase some exquisite handicrafts of this region. Tourist from various parts of the world comes here to witness this enchanting Buddhist festival celebrated at the northern fringe of India.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;For more information on Hemis festival log intohttp://www.lehladakh.com
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