Hemis, sometimes known as Hamis, is a picturesque village on the banks of the Indus River in the Leh province, 40 kilometers southeast of Leh. The Hemis Monastery, which is surrounded by serene surroundings, is a highlight. It is one of India’s wealthiest monasteries, having been established by the Ladakhi monarch Sengge Namgyal.
A magnificent copper statue of Lord Buddha, as well as gold and silver stupas, thangkas (paintings on cotton or silk depicting Buddhist deities), and murals, can be found in the Hemis Monastery. Colorful prayer flags swirl in the breeze and send out pleas to Lord Buddha on all four sides of the monastery. The annual Hemis Festival, which takes place in June each year, is especially popular.
Hemis Tourist Places To Explore
Hemis National Park
At an elevation of 3,300 to 6,000 meters above sea level, the National Park is located. This park is known for having the world’s highest elevation and being home to rare snow leopards. In addition, it is South Asia’s largest park.
This National Park, which opened in 1981, also includes six settlements with a combined population of over 1600 people. Some of these are excellent camping locations. The park also has the four-hundred-year-old Monastery. This national park is rich in hiking and trekking opportunities.
Time required to visit the site- 4 to 5 hours
Timings to visit the site- 09:00am to 05:00pm
Entry fees- Indians INR20, Foreigner Rs100
Hemis Monastery
The most popular and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh is Hemis Gompa. Hemis Monastery, 45 kilometers from Leh, is known for its yearly Hemis Event, a two-day religious festival. The major attraction of the celebration is the unfolding of the massive thangka (religious painting). In reality, one of Ladakh’s largest thangkas is unfurled in front of a large crowd every 12 years at the Hemis Festival.
Hemis is a 17th-century Buddhist shrine that was re-established in 1672. This well-known monastery in Ladakh represents the Drukpa Lineage of Buddhism. A huge collection of Tibetan texts, Thangkas, gilded statues, and Stupas adorned with precious stones, weapons, carriers, and even monks are housed in a museum in a Gompa in Leh.
Time required to visit the site- 2to3 hours
Timings to visit the site- 08:00am to 01:00pm, 02:00pm to 06:00pm
Entry fees- Absolutely free
Gotsang Gompa
A retreat center named Gotsang Gompa, which is located atop Hemis Gompa is a 45-minute walk from the globe.
It is one of the local Buddhist centers where one can get a room and spend the night. There is no way to get there by car. While the monks’ English isn’t excellent, it’s generally enough to locate you a place to stay and directions to get there.
Timings to visit the site- Throughout the week
Entry fees- Absolutely free
Stakna Gompa
The Stakna Gompa, which sits on the river’s edge and offers some of Hemis’ most panoramic and stunning vistas, is reached by a short wooden bridge across the Indus.
While the structure itself isn’t as enormous or colorful as some of the other monasteries in the area, the surrounding environment more than compensates. The monastery lies on a hill that is claimed to resemble a tiger’s snout, therefore the name literally translates to ‘tiger’s nose.’
Timings to visit the site- Throughout the week
Entry fees- Absolutely free
Shang Gompa
In the middle of the snow-capped mountains and wrinkled terrains of Leh and Ladakh, Shang Gompa is a symbol of serenity, tranquility, placidity, and leisure. The chanting of the monks is nearly hypnotic.
Deities wearing diamond-encrusted crowns and human skulls, wielding swords or lotus blooms, and dressed in silky robes and tiger skins are shown in these vivid, colorful, and strange paintings.
Timings to visit the site- Throughout the week
Entry fees- Absolutely free
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Best Hotels at Hemis Ladakh
- Neryok’s Indus View Camp and Restaurant
- Hidden Valley Homestay Stakmo
- Fana Resort
- Stok Palace Heritage
- The Indus River Camp
Enjoy your visit to this beautiful place!!!
Image Source: Google