Hemis Festival

Hemis is the largest and richest monastery in Ladakh. The annual Hemis Festival, held in summer to celebrate the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, is a riot of colors.

The highlight is the Cham dance (mask dance) performed by the monks to the beat of drums, cymbals, and long horns. They wear elaborate brocade costumes and fearsome masks representing deities.

It is a vibrant display of Tantric Buddhism.