According to tradition, Hemis Monastery in Ladakh district of Jammu and Kashmir, in the northern region of India, is said to be the largest monastery complex in the country. A monastery with more than 200 branch locations in the Himalayas has around 1,000 monks. The monastery is located in the foothills of the Indus, about 45 km away from Leh, making it accessible via motorable roads. The exhilarating experience of visiting Hemis Monastery is complemented by the scenic surroundings, making the visit unforgettable.
History
The Hemis Gompa monastery was built in the 17th century, and it has had the patronage of the Ladakhi royal family for centuries. Sting sang Raspa Nawang Gyatso, the first incarnation of Raspa Nawang Gyatso, built the monastery. In 1956, when the Buddhist spiritual leader in Himachal Pradesh, the Dalai Lama, went missing, a 12-year-old child from Dalhousie, in India, took on the title of head Lama.
At the monastery, which marks the birthday of Guru Rinpoche, the main event is the Hemis Festival. The 10th day of the Tibetan lunar month, which falls on the 12th year of the 12-year cycle, is the time of festivity.