Hemis, also spelled Hamis, is a village in the Leh district of Indian union territory Ladakh. It is located in Kharu tehsil, 40 km southeast of Leh city. Hemis is known for the Hemis Monastery which was founded by Sengge Namgyal in 1672 A.D. The village hosts a colorful festival in July. It is close to Hemis National Park, home to extinct snow leopards in the area.
Hemis Monastery
Hemis Monastery is a Buddhist monastery which is located 45 km south of Leh. Built by Ladakhi king Seng Namgyal, it is ranked among the richest monasteries in India. The Hemis Monastery is mostly visited during the annual Hemis Festival held every year in early June. The Hemis monastery has a magnificent copper statue of Lord Buddha and a stupa made of gold-silver, thangkas, and murals. The spacious courtyards and a picturesque veranda are adorned with colorful paintings of Buddhist art. Hemis Monastery belongs to the Red Sect of Buddhism or the Dugpa Kargupta order. The monastery is surrounded by colorful prayer flags that fly in the wind and send prayers to Lord Buddha. It is also an institution for the teaching of Tantric Vajrayana.
Hemis National Park
Hemis National Park is located at an altitude ranging between 3,300 and 6,000 meters above sea level. it is Home to rare snow leopards, the park is known as one of the most famous in the world. It is also the largest park in South Asia. it was Founded in 1981, Hemis National Park is also home to six villages, with more than 1,600 inhabitants. The park also houses the 400-year-old Hemis Monastery. This national park is also known for trekking and hiking options.
Gotsang Gompa
A 45-minute walk back from the Hemis Gompa is a retreat center called Gotsang Gompa. Not accessible by car, it is one of the Buddhist centers in the area where one can find a room and spend the night. While the monks aren’t exactly fluent in English, it usually works to get you a room and show you.
Stakna Gompa
A small unstable bridge over the Indus leads to the gompa of Stack on the river bank and probably points to some very picturesque and beautiful views of Hemis. While this texture itself may not be as scattered and colorful as in many other monasteries around it, the views that see it among themselves are more than make up for it. The ashram literally translates to ‘tiger’s nose‘ which is the crown of the monastery, it looks like a tiger’s nose.
Shang Gompa
Between the snow-capped mountains of Leh and Ladakh and the wrinkled lands, the Shang Gompa is a symbol of comfort, tranquility, peace, and prosperity. The chanting of the monks is almost hypnotic. The paintings are intricate, colorful, and incredible, depicting jewels and crowned deities on human skulls, swords or lotus flowers, silk robes, and hair.
