Hemis

Hemis Monastery

Hemis Monastery is a prominent Himalayan Buddhist monastery (gompa) belonging to the Drukpa Lineage. It is situated in Hemis, on the banks of the Indus River in Ladakh, India, approximately 45 kilometers from the city of Leh. The monastery was re-established in 1672 by King Sengge Namgyal of Ladakh, though historical accounts suggest its existence predates the 11th century.

History and Significance

The monastery is most widely known for its annual Hemis festival, a major cultural and religious event held in early June. This festival honors Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), a revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism, believed to be a reincarnate of Buddha. The festivities include elaborate ceremonies, traditional music, and mystic mask dances (chams performances) performed by monks, which are integral to the Tantric Vajrayana teachings followed at the monastery.

Hemis Monastery also gained notoriety in the late 19th century due to claims made by Russian journalist Nicolas Notovitch. Notovitch asserted that he discovered a manuscript known as the 'Life of Saint Issa, Best of the Sons of Men' within the Hemis library, which purportedly detailed Jesus Christ's 'lost years' spent in India. However, this account is widely disputed by historians, who view Notovitch's claims as fabricated. Swami Abhedananda later claimed to have seen a similar manuscript in 1921, but subsequent inquiries suggested the documents had disappeared.

Artistic and Cultural Features

Within the monastery's courtyard, a gallery houses a collection of paintings depicting the Eighty-Four Mahasiddhas, dating back to the 17th century. These artworks are created using ground mineral pigments and represent a significant aspect of the monastery's artistic heritage. The Hemis festival itself, with its masked dances and rituals, is a vibrant display of Ladakhi Buddhist culture and Tantric traditions.