Experience Ladakh the Hemis way, the big festival to kickoff soon

The annual celebration of Ladakh's Hemis Festival is right around the corner. Block the dates because come July 8-9, you need to be in Ladakh for the two-day Hemis Festival. On the tenth day of the lunar month, also known as Tse-Chu, Hemis Festival is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. The grand Hemis Monastery is located in Ladakh; during the festival time, you will get to see the monastery all decked up and ready for the grand cultural celebration. This is also the best time to experience the Ladakhi culture. The locals, in their traditional best, gather in the monastery courtyard where the main celebration takes place. Lamas in traditional attires and colourful masks open the festival with cham, also known as the masked dance. The stunning masks and headgears have different meanings and are of cultural significance. Short history of Hemis Festival Back in the 8th century, it was believed that the locals were tormented by evil spirits and demons. It was Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche, who saved the day and people started celebrating this win over evil. Basically, the Hemis Festival is celebrated to keep negativity at bay and welcome new life that is filled with hope and positive energy. It was through Guru Padmasambhava that Tantric Buddhism was introduced in the Himalayan region. Hemis Festival is also a celebration of Buddhism and Tibetan culture. Festival high points The Cham Dance or the God Dance is the main attraction of the festival. It is only performed by the monks and lamas as it has religious significance. Things to keep in mind Since Hemis Festival is a religious festival, visitors are always requested to respect the local culture and the festival environment in general. Proper clothing is advised, and do carry sun protection as it is an outdoor event. Photography inside the prayer hall and monastery museum is strictly prohibited.