Hemis Gompa Celebration

Hemis Gompa is one of the most significant festivals celebrated by the Buddhist community in India and abroad. The festival marks the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, or Guru Rinpoche, the revered incarnation of Lord Buddha. Guru Rinpoche was the chief spiritual head of the Drupka Kargyud lineage and the head of the Hemis Monastery. He is known for spreading love and spiritual harmony amongst all people. The biggest and wealthiest celebrations can be seen at the Hemis Gompa, one of the most important monasteries in Buddhism in Ladakh. This monastery bursts into colorful life on this occasion. Read through the following lines to know all about how Hemis Gompa is celebrated.

Hemis Gompa Traditions

Devotees from all across India and abroad gather at Hemis Monastery to celebrate the festival of Hemis Gompa with immense splendor and grandeur. Traditional music is played in the background through beating of the drums, clashing of cymbals and long horns marking the main festivity of the occasion. The portrait of the sacred Guru Rinpoche is brought forward so that all devotees can take blessings from the Guru and show their love and respect for the same. The local people don vibrant masks and perform colorful dances showing beautiful hand crafted items. The courtyard of Hemis Gompa is sprawled with such vibrant and lively festivities.

The other structures of Hemis Gompa are as well used in the celebrations of the festival. The hall, known as Dukhang or Green Room, is vivacious with different dancing performances. A large number of devotees contribute money to the kitchen of the Gompa. The kitchen contains a huge vessel made from copper measuring 12 meter in diameter that is capable of cooking rice for about 500 people at one time. The two days of the festival is filled with life with the fair that is specially organized on this special occasion. The festival is witnessed by people from other religions as well from all across the world.

The festival of Hemis Gompa is celebrated to spread the message of Guru Rinpoche - the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and virtue over vice.