| Thanks to the diverse culture, traditions, exotic | | | | and spreads the messages of Lord Buddha |
| locations, unique wildlife, of late India has emerged as | | | | throughout Ladakh. According to an old legend Guru |
| most sought after tourist destination in the entire | | | | Rimpoche had fought with the demons to save the |
| world. It is a land full of colors and festivals. Every | | | | lives of the local people. |
| religion as well as every season in India are linked | | | | Hemis festival is a two day long festival during which |
| with one and more festivals which are celebrated | | | | the lamas or monks gather around the flagpole in the |
| with utmost joy and gaiety. | | | | courtyard of the monastery and performs the |
| These splendorous festivals are the lifeline of the | | | | masked dance and plays. These fantastic masked |
| India culture and tradition. Some of the famous Indian | | | | dances are performed on the beats of drums, |
| festivals are Holi, Diwali, Janmashtami, Durga puja, | | | | cymbals and long horns. This festival is celebrated to |
| Christmas, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Buddha Purnima and | | | | mark the victory of good over bad. At the end of |
| many more. These festivals are the main source of | | | | the masked dance, the leader of the black hat |
| communal harmony in the country. They aids to | | | | dancers destroys an idol made up of dough and |
| maintain the national integration of the country. | | | | spreads in the four directions. After this a devil dance |
| Similar to these aforementioned festivals, another | | | | is also performed. The entire programme of the |
| unique festival of India is Hemis Festival. It is one of | | | | Hemis festival is preceded by the head lama of the |
| the most revered festival of the Buddhist community. | | | | monastery. |
| The main venue for this colorful festival is the Hemis | | | | Hemis monastery is also renowned for the largest |
| monastery, 40km from Leh in the Indian state of | | | | “Thanka” in entire Ladakh, which is unfurled |
| Jammu and Kashmir. This is an annual festival, which is | | | | once in every 12 years. Every year on the occasion |
| held in this monastery only. Hemis monastery is the | | | | of Hemis festival, this two-storey high |
| largest Buddhist monastery in the entire Ladakh. This | | | | “Thanka” which depicts the image of Guru |
| monastery was built by the Sengge Namgyal of the | | | | Padmasambhava is displayed for the devotees. It is |
| Namgyal dynasty in 1630 A.D. | | | | embroidered with semi-precious stones and pearls. |
| Every year the vibrant Hemis festival is celebrated on | | | | Another special highlight of the Hemis festival is the |
| the tenth day of lunar month in accordance with the | | | | colorful fair which is the best option to see and |
| Tibetan calendar (June -July). This festival is | | | | purchase some exquisite handicrafts of this region. |
| celebrated as to mark the birth anniversary of the | | | | Tourist from various parts of the world comes here |
| 12th Guru Padma Sambhava or Guru Gyalwang | | | | to witness this enchanting Buddhist festival |
| Drukchen Rimpoche, the most honored incarnation of | | | | celebrated at the northern fringe of India. |
| Lord Budha. He was the founder of Tibetan Buddhism | | | | |