Jammu & Kashmir Hemis Monastery
Hemis Monastery is located in district Ladakh a state in Jammu and Kashmir of India. The architecture of the monastery depicts the Tibetan type. The Buddhist monastery is located at a distance of 45 km away from Leh. Every year in June Hemis festival is celebrated to honor Padmasambhava. The monastery belongs to the family of Drukpa and Gyalwang Drukpa is considered to by the holy figure of the monastery. This is considered as the richest and biggest monastery in Ladakh. The two major parts of the monastery are Tshongkhang and Dukhang.
There are almost 200 branches of the Hemis monasteries and more that 1000 monks take care of this monastery. Being the richest monastery in India it houses the Buddha statues made of copper and the gold and silver stupas. It is considered as most important buildings in the Himalayas.
History
The history of the Hemis Monastery goes back to as old as 11th century. Naropa and his followers known as Tilopa who also translated Marpa join the history of Hemis Monastery. Naropas life was beautifully described by A. Grunwedel that was later found in the vicinity of Monastery.
The history of the Monastery goes back to the year 1672. This monastery was founded by Sengge Namgyal.
The manuscript of Naropa says that he met Tilopa who was a master in tantric. Tilopa assigned Naropa twelve big and twelve small jobs to perform so that he get enriched and get educated to understand the intrinsic of the illusions. Tilopa met Hemis after Naropa and both of them then moved to a direction that led to a monastery in the Kingdom of Maghada that is today’s time is known as Otantapuri. Hemis belonged to family of Kagyu who worshipped Buddhism.
The Russian journalist in the year 1894 declared Hemis as the originator of “Life of Saint Issa”, “Best of the Sons of Men” that narrates that Jesus has visited India in his “lost years”. This work has been concealed in the Library of Hemis and this was shown to Notovitch by the monks during the period he was convalescing from his broken leg. Later he agreed infront of the historians, that he has contrived the evidence. It is believed that he netted lot of money by spreading this swindle.
Festival
Hemis festival has been linked to Lord Padmasambhava who adored as it as he loved the dance performed at Hemis Monastery that displayed re-embody of Buddha. It is assumed that he was born in the fifth month of Monkey Year and on day 10th. The main motive of his life was to spiritualize people by purifying their thoughts. Since then this day has been observed as the day to relive his memories and is celebrated once every year. The festival is celebrated in a rectangular piazza just in front of the main entrance of monastery. Two three feet high square platforms are prepared that has a sacred pole in center. A raised podium with mitigated seat is prepared and along with this the other arrangements like a mini Tibetan table, holy water cups, non-cooked rice, tormas made from dough and butter and then the incense sticks are placed. Traditional music is played by numerous musicians. This includes cymbals, large pan drums, trumpets and big wind instruments. Lamas are made to sit in the assigned small place.
The rituals begin with prayers beginning early morning on the top of Gompa. Music played using drum beats, cymbals clash, wail of pipes that are considered to be sacred; a ceremony is done to display “Dadmokarpo” and “Rygyalsras Rimpoche” portraits.
The major attractions of the festival are the cabalistic mask dances and the dancers performing such a dance are called chams Performance. This performance is tradition of the Tantric and is only executed by the gompas who are the followers of Tantric Vajrayana.
How to Reach
By Air
The airport that is closest to reach the monastery is Leh at a distance of 40 km. There are flights that ply to and fro between Leh and Delhi.
By Rail
The nearest rail line to reach the monastery is Jammu railway station.
By Road
Distance from Srinagar to Leh is 434 km while from Delhi it is 1047 km. Buses and Taxis are easily available.
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