Hemis Festival 2026 Begins in Ladakh

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The Hemis Festival 2026 started with great devotion and enthusiasm at the historic Hemis Monastery located in the Leh district of Ladakh.

The Hemis Festival, also known as Hemis Tsechu, takes place every year at the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh on the 10th day of the Tse-Chu month based on the Tibetan lunar calendar.
The roots of this festival go back to the 8th century and honor the spiritual work of Guru Padmasambhava, who cleared away evil forces from Ladakh.
The festival celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, also called Guru Rinpoche, who is deeply respected as the Second Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism.
The Hemis Monastery, which is one of the biggest Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, gets beautifully decorated for these special days.
The main highlight is the holy Cham mask dance performed by lamas and monks in the monastery courtyard to the beats of drums, cymbals, and longhorns.
A special ritual happens at the end of the ceremony where a dough figure representing evil is broken apart and thrown in 4 directions to keep away bad energy and purify the soul.
People share Chhang, a traditional local drink, during the event as an important part of the cultural celebrations.
A huge thangka of Guru Padmasambhava decorated with pearls and semi-precious stones is put on public display every 12th year during the Tibetan Year of the Monkey.
The festival protects the Buddhist heritage of Ladakh, boosts cultural tourism, spreads brotherhood, and brings together spirituality, history, culture, and joy.