Hemis Monastery, Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Leh district, India
Hemis is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Leh district organized around a central courtyard with two prayer halls and elaborately carved wooden pillars. A large thangka painting hangs above the courtyard beneath the roof beams.
King Sengge Namgyal founded the monastery in 1672, marking a major expansion of Buddhism in the Ladakh region. This establishment solidified the site's role as a center of religious authority in northern India.
The monastery hosts the annual Hemis Festival in June, where monks perform masked dances dressed in vibrant silk robes to honor the founder Guru Padmasambhava.
The monastery museum displays religious artifacts, statues, and ancient thangka paintings, with guided tours led by resident monks. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and allow time for the steep terrain.
An 8-meter-high statue of Padmasambhava sits on the upper level, displaying detailed craftsmanship with ornamental features. This sculpture ranks among the most impressive in the Ladakh region.
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