Hemis Monastery

Situated around 49 km south of Leh, the Hemis Monastery is the most important monastery belonging to the Drupka order. The history of the monastery states that it was founded by Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso in 1630 (about 360 years ago). He was invited by the king of Ladakh, Sengye Namgyal who offered him a religious estate throughout the region. Also established the monasteries of Chemre, Hanle and Themisgam.

Hemis monastery is tucked away among rocks and concealing poplars inside the Hemis National Park. Some scholars even believe that Hemis holds ancient documents, which speak of the hidden years of Jesus Christ. It is also known as Chang Chub Sam Ling or “the lone place of the compassionate person.” To commemorate the birth of the renowned Indian sage, Padmasambhava, the annual Hemis Setchu festival is held in late June or early July 10th  and 11th day of 5th Tibetan month as the birthday of Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism.when the passes are open. This is one of the largest and most spectacular of the gompa festivals.During the festival, masked dances are performed with themes that invariably show a fight against evil and infidel and consequent win of good and Buddhism.

Hemis was built in 1630 during the reign of Sengge Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh. It flourished under the Namgyal dynasty for the royalty favoured the Druk-pa Sect which managed the monastery. It is divided into two, the Assembly Hall on the right and the main temple on the left. The Hall, Dukhang, is also used as a 'green room' by the dancers during the festival. The temple is known as Tshogkhang. The verandahs have a surfeit of frescoes, among them the Buddhist 'Wheel of life' (Kalachakra) and the 'Lords of the Four Quarters,' besides rows of prayer wheels.

You can gain an impression of the extent of the monastery area on the climb to the eyrie, a hermitage known as gotsang or Kotsang gompa which is reached by a one hour, three km climb to 3900meters, 300 meters higher than Hemis. The 13th century monastery predates the Hemis Gompa and was built by Sylwa Gotsang-Pa, who meditated in a cave nearby. A small shrine has been built around the cave, where you can see his foot and hand prints in the rock.