Hemis Festival

Hemis Monastery, located 45 km from Leh, is the largest and richest monastery in Ladakh. It's famous for its annual Hemis Festival, where a giant thangka is unfurled every 12 years. The 17th-century monastery follows the Drukpa Lineage of Buddhism and has a museum showcasing Tibetan books, thangkas, gold statues, stupas, and precious stones. The monastery's history dates back to before the 11th century and is connected to Naropa, a pupil of yogi Tilopa and teacher of Marpa. Naropa and Tilopa met at Hemis, and from there, they traveled to the ancient kingdom of Magadha. Hemis Monastery is the main seat of the Kagyu lineage of Buddhism, founded by Naropa. The monastery's significance and rich history make it a popular tourist destination and a sacred site for Buddhists. The Hemis Festival and the unfurling of the giant thangka are major attractions, drawing large crowds.