Hemis Monastery
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One of the largest and wealthiest monasteries of Ladakh, known for its summer festival of masked dances.
MonasteryHemis, about 45 km south-east of LehBest time to visit: May to September; Hemis Tsechu in June–July
Highlights
- The Hemis Tsechu festival with Cham dances in honour of Guru Padmasambhava
- A large thangka of Padmasambhava unveiled at the festival every few years
- Museum of statues, thangkas and ritual objects
- Hemis National Park nearby, home to the snow leopard
Significance
Hemis belongs to the Drukpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and was rebuilt in the 17th century under the patronage of the Namgyal kings of Ladakh.