5 Reasons why you cannot miss Hemis Festival 2020 in Ladakh!
When you hear Ladakh, what comes to your mind? Royal Enfields? Biking groups? Treks? Tents? Lack of luxury? Well, you are not incorrect you are just misinformed. Although they are a few sides of Ladakh, they are not the only sides.
Ladakh is also home to some of the most exquisite valleys, mountains and river areas in India. Not only does it have the great mountainous region to boast for, it also has the rough patches which can give any biker nightmares; but, this is not about biking. This is about colors and dancing and masks and music. Cannot picture Ladakh with all of that? Read more to know!
Ladakh is also home to the Hemis National Park. The national park got its name from one of the oldest monasteries in the region – the Hemis Monastery. The monastery has great repute for its beautiful structure and peaceful surroundings, but the jewel in its crown is the Hemis Festival Ladakh. Probably imagining a festival in Ladakh might be difficult for you. So, here are 5 reasons why you cannot miss Hemis Festival 2020:
- Charm of the seasons. Ladakh is famous as a trekking destination, a place for adventure sports and who can forget the immense bike rides. Almost everyone can connect Ladakh to only the elongated bike rides and groups of people following each other. If not this, then the sound of echo between the mountains and no signs of humans for miles and miles. Adding to that, the best people can think of are the tents, the fire lit outside and the hot tea. That is, it? Definitely not!
Ladakh may challenge with its unexpected turn of climate, sometimes getting a bit extreme! The best part about the Hemis Festival 2020 is that it will be held in the month of June where soft summers are melting the harsh winters down to the most comforting levels! So, instead of being greeted by the harsh winters you might usually expect throughout the year, in the month of June Ladakh gives you these soft summer-wintery chills where you can enjoy the warmth of the local tea and can still go out in a t-shirt.
- The legacy. The festival has immense legacy, both historical and cultural. To start with, the festival is to remember Guru Padmasambhava, who is supposed to be the reincarnation of Buddha. He is the most prominent religious figure after Buddha in the valley and is known to have saved the people of Ladakh from evil in his times. The festival itself was started 200 years ago by the royal family then ruling the valleys of Ladakh. In fact, it is believed that the initiator of the festival was a member of the royal family who later was reborn as the head of the Hemis monastery by the name of Sras Rimoche. A unique addition to the festival is a painstakingly created Thangka (Buddhist painting) of Guru Padmasambhava, which is erected every 12 years and stands almost as tall as two floors.
- The dance performances. The dance is probably the most spectacular part of the entire festival. The Chhams (Lamas of the monastery) come out dressed in beautiful and bright coloured costumes. They have masks on their faces, each one representing the good or the evil. After the Thangka is brought in front of everyone, these Lamas come to the courtyard for their performances. The performances are musical acts which depict the various holy acts of Guru Padmasambhava. All the acts are accompanied by mesmerizing music played using long horns, drums and many other musical instruments.
- The souvenirs. Every trip eventually is about answering this one really simple question – what do you bring back with you? Some people are happy with the photos, some are fond of the unique videos. Some like local offerings in forms of edibles. One of the best parts about the festival are the souvenir shops that are brought out specially for the Hemis Festival! With them, you will carry physical memories and the culture of Ladakh.
5. Simply, to look at Ladakh from a different angle! This is not so off-setting but highly required! You need to visit the Hemis Festival 2020 just to look at this dancing, musical and colourful side of Ladakh!
For more information email us: tours@shikhar.com