The annual Hemis Festival is one of the most famous monastic festivals of Ladakh.
The grand Annual Hemis Festival took place in Ladakh to mark the celebration for Guru Padmasambhava, who spread Buddhism through the Himalayas with his wisdom and blessings. The festival is the largest event in the region, and is especially known for the sacred Masked Dances performed by the monks of Hemis, dispelling obstacles and misfortune for all.
On this popular festival in Ladakh, Cham Dance and other traditional dances are performed in Hemis Monastery on the beats of drums and cymbal and on the tunes of long pipe like Tibetan music instrument. On both days, giant thangkas (Buddhist paintings) are unfurled for the public. In fact, every 12th year, the largest thangka in Ladakh is unfurled in Hemis on the first day of the festival for the public to see.
