KASHMIR HEMIS MONASTERY TOUR:
Journey to a Timeless, Sacred Place with the Hemis Monastery Tour
The greatest Tibetan monastery in the Ladakh region is Hemis Monastery, which is located at a height of 12000 feet. When visiting Leh Ladakh, it is one of the monasteries that visitors most frequently visit. It is one of the main Ladakh tourist attractions and is located on a mountain on the west bank of the Indus River, barely 45 kilometres from the town of Leh. The monastery, which is associated with the red sect of Buddhism and the Drukpa lineage, is thought to have been founded for the first time in the 11th century and subsequently rebuilt by the then-King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century (about in the year 1670). So it is obvious that it is rich in mythology and history.
History of Ladakh's Hemis Monastery
The history of Hemis Monastery can be found in a transcript of yogi Tilopa's student's life story. The Hemis Monastery is where this biography was discovered and afterwards translated into several languages. It describes how Naropa met the tantric guru Tilopa and the duties Tilopa gave Naropa to complete in order to get enlightenment.
Naropa is revered as the "Abbot of Nalanda," the illustrious monastery and university in modern-day Bihar. It is possible that the destruction of Nalanda University by Afghan-Turkish invaders, which led Naropa to travel to the North and finally to Hemis, where he eventually met Tilopa, is what caused him to leave his home. At that point, Naropa and Tilopa both returned to Otantra University, which is no longer in operation, in the former Bihar kingdom of Magadha. Naropa eventually rose to become the founder of the esoteric Buddhist Kagyu tradition. The Kagyu tradition of Himalayan Buddhism thus established Hemis as its headquarters. Another contentious tale states that Hemis is the source of a forgotten gospel of Christianity, according to which Jesus is claimed to have visited India during his "lost years." As the supporting material is alleged to have been made up, historians today find a great deal of uncertainty in this single tale, making the entire account a hoax.
Hemis Festival at the Hemis Monastery:
Hemis is home to a wide variety of art and culture in addition to its fascinating history. Every year in June, Lord Padmasambhava is honoured at the energetic Hemis festival (Guru Rinpoche). The anniversary occurs on the tenth day of the fifth month of the monk year. It's noteworthy to note that this day only occurs once every 12 years in this case. As a result, it is observed as an extravaganza with great enthusiasm and festivity. People practise sacred rituals at the festival in order to strengthen their spirituality and maintain good health because they think that Guru Rinpoche's life aim was to continuously improve the spiritual state of all living things. In the monastery's regal courtyard, the Hemis Gompa festival is held.
Early morning rituals include the beating of drums, the clanging of cymbals, and the mystical lament of pipes. then, when Rinpoche's image is formally unveiled for everyone to revere and honour. The Cham Performance, a mystic masked dance that is one of the most esoteric celebrations of the Buddhist tradition, is the festival's major attraction, however you can observe musicians playing traditional Ladakhi music in full swing. It is a tantric ceremony that is exclusively practised at Gompas that adhere to the Tantric Vajrayana teachings. At the festival, you can observe monks engaging in tantric worship. Among all the Ladakhi festivities, the Hemis festival is one of the most significant.
Depending on the Tibetan calendar, the festival is typically observed throughout the summer months of June and July. The monastery is home to a large collection of Thangkas, or sacred paintings, as well as several sculptures and stupas made of gold, silver, and other precious metals, in addition to the famous copper-gilded statue of Lord Buddha. The monastery has a museum where a variety of carriers, weapons, and other Buddhist items and relics are shown. One of the highest monasteries in the world is the Hemis villages at a height of 12,000 feet and the Drukpa ancestry's heartland, where Lamas are trained for all of the royal monasteries. Another holy hermitage, which is located about 3 kilometres from the monastery, is supposed to have been created by the great Gyalwa Kotsang, whose handprint and imprint can be seen on a rock within the cave. Buddhist flags are draped over the hermitage, making it visible from a great distance.
A vibrant civilization once flourished here, and it left behind precious artefacts like the elaborate patterns, antiquated murals, three-dimensional mandala, and distinctive architecture of the monastic complex.
When to go to Hemis?
June to July The Hemis Festival, which takes place during the finest time to visit the Hemis monastery. Otherwise, the best months to go here are May through September. Due to significant snowfall, the highways from Manali and Srinagar to Ladakh are closed from November to May, making air travel the only way to get to Leh and the Hemis monastery during this time. Since the routes to Leh Ladakh from Srinagar and Manali side are open from May to September/October, this is the best time to visit Hemis Monastery near Leh (aside from festival time).
Getting to Hemis
Leh and Hemis are separated by only 45 kilometres. However, the majority of visitors visit Hemis monastery as part of their two-day excursion to Pangong Tso or as part of their monastery tour from Leh when travelling to Ladakh. The monastery is located around 45 kilometres southeast of the town of Leh, off the Indus River, in a ravine flanked by bare mountains of the Hemis National Park road. On the day you intend to remain in Leh, you might come here and enjoy the nearby sights. If you are travelling by road from Delhi, the quickest route to the Monastery is to use the Manali-Leh Highway. If you are coming from Srinagar, you can go to Leh by taking the Leh-Srinagar Highway (J&K). Within the Ladakh region, private buses and JKSRTC buses run. You can also travel to Hemis from Leh in your own private vehicle (cars or bicycles). Within the Ladakh region, the state-run JKSRTC buses operate. You can get to Hemis Monastery from Leh in your own private vehicle (cars or bicycles).
By air : Leh Airport, which is the closest airport, offers good connection to some significant Indian airports, including New Delhi. Taxis can be rented to take you from the airport to your hotel in Leh, where you can spend the night before travelling by taxi to the Hemis Monastery.
By train: Jammu Tawi, located 812 kilometres from Leh, is the closest significant railway station. Taxis can be rented from the train station to travel the Srinagar-Leh Highway in 3 days with overnight stops in Srinagar and Kargil to get to Leh. Despite being only 635 kilometres from Leh through the Manali–Leh Highway, Joginder Nagar is not a significant railway station.
OTHER MONASTERIES TO VISIT:
Where you may stayVisit Hemis Monastery and other surrounding monasteries including Stakna, Thicksey, and Shey Palace in a single day. On the route to Pangong Tso or on the way back from Pangong Tso, visitors also visit Hemis Monastery. There are some home stays or guest rooms in the surrounding Hemis village if you have to go to Hemis National Park to see a Snow Leopard or if you want to stay there.
Places to eat
While there are a few quick-service restaurants near the Hemis monastery, it is best to bring food and water with you for the entire day because touring the area will take a lot of your time. There is a dining/rest area at the monastery where tea, coffee, and biscuits are offered without charge.
SOME TRAVEL TIPS
It's crucial to note that photography is prohibited within the Hemis Monastery's prayer hall and museum. It is suggested that travellers consult their doctors before starting this trek because it can be tiresome and difficult, and the weather in Leh Ladakh can become harsh at times. Even the most experienced tourists will endure acute mountain sickness (AMS) due to the high and dizzying altitude in addition to the bitterly cold winter weather. When you arrive in Leh, allow yourself enough time to acclimatise and pack medication for altitude sickness.
Connectivity OF Mobile Networks Near Leh, only BSNL and Airtel postpaid lines have reception; all other networks are unreachable. The most extensive coverage is provided by BSNL, and Reliance Jio started operating in 2018.
ITINERARY FOR KASHMIR HEMIS TOUR:
DAY1: ARRIVAL IN SRINAGAR:
Our representative will meet you at the Airport and assist you with a transfer to the hotel or houseboat you have reserved. Enjoy a leisurely day by engaging in your favourite activities, such as exploring well-known monuments, visiting well-known markets, indulging in street food, etc. Stay overnight.
Day 2: Leh:
On day 2, take a transfer in the early morning to the airport to catch a flight to Leh. Receive a transfer to the hotel you had reserved before you arrived. Complete the hotel check-in process and take use of the refreshments. Following lunch, go sightseeing. Cover the remnants of the Hall of Fame, the Shanti Stupa, and the Leh Palace, white - domed Buddhist chortens which are well-known for their spiritual significance as well as the breathtaking views of their surroundings they provide. Take a leisurely stroll through the market in the evening.
Day 3: Leh -
Hemis Festival and Monastery Tour: Visit the Hemis Monastery to take part in the festivities after breakfast. This India's most renowned and affluent monastery is the yearly site of the renowned Hemis Festival. Enjoy longhorns, rhythmic drums, and the sacred Lamas' masked dance known as Chaam. The stalls at the temporary market are also where you can purchase souvenirs. Visit the (Gelugpa) sect's Tibetan Buddhist monasteries Shey Gompa and Thiksey Gompa later on. Its architecture is reminiscent of Tibet's Potala Palace in Lhasa.
Day 4: 320-kilometre excursion from Leh to Pangong Lake:
After breakfast on the fourth day of the journey, travel to Pangong Lake (4,350 metres) via Chang La (5360 metres), the third-highest motorable road in the world. Carry a lunchbox. Arrive in the afternoon in Pangong. The highest endorheic lake in the world, Pangong Lake is situated in India and Tibet. Enjoy the stunning scenery of the snow-covered mountains in the area. After that, travel back to Leh to spend the night.
Day 5: Trip to the top of Khardungla (5360 metres):
After breakfast on the fifth day of the vacation, start travelling in the direction of Khardung La Pass (5359 metres), renowned as the highest motorable route, which is located around 39 kilometres from the main Leh town. When you get to the top, take in the neighborhood's landscape. After lunch, return to Leh. The remainder of the day is available for leisure pursuits. Visit the market in the evening. Spend the night. Day 6: Departure Collect all the memories of the beautiful journey to reminiscence them forever.