Home > Activities > Hemis Festival

Hemis Festival

A Buddhist monastery dance festival for spiritual wellbeing

The Hemis Festival is celebrated at the Hemis Gompa or monastery in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir – and is one of the key attractions of the mountain kingdom. The Hemis Festival is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava, considered a reincarnate of Buddha, who is venerated through dance performances. The observance of these sacred rituals is believed to give spiritual strength and good health, and represents age-old traditions and sacred rites.

The festival can be attended on a day’s excursion from Leh town.

Activities from the Destination

Places of interest to weave into your itinerary

Alchi Monastery
Basgo Ruins
Birdwatching at Chushul Marshes

A high-altitude salt lake birdwatching experience
Culinary experience with a local family
Hemis Monastery

An exemplification of spiritual devotion and architectural grandeur.
Hike to Saboo ruins

A short hike for sunrise or sunset views across Leh valley
Ladakh Trekking

Trek through the lesser-known reaches of Ladakh
Lamayuru Monastery

Related Activities

Immersive, thematic activities to explore destinations

Lamayuru Monastery

Leh
Alchi Monastery

Leh
Basgo Ruins

Leh
Hemis Monastery

An exemplification of spiritual devotion and architectural grandeur.

Leh
Stok Guru Tsechu

Witness an ancient oracular tradition

Stok
Visit to Chottanikkara Temple

Witness the ever-changing avatars of India's supreme goddesses

Cochin
Ambubachi Mela

Glimpse the Tantric traditions of a fertility festival

Guwahati
Theyyam

Watch an animistic festival in all its glory

Kannur