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Ladakh Piligrims
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HEMIS
MONASTERY |
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Situated at a distance of
around 40 km southeast of leh, Hemis is located in the Ladakh
division of the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. It takes
its name from the world famous Buddhist Gompa situated here.
The Hemis monastery was established in 1672
AD by the then king Senge Nampar Gyalva. Across the stillness
of the wide
expanse, the Hemis gompa stands upright built in Tibetan style,
jutting out of the mountain top. The practices at the Hemis
monastery are a direct lineal descent of the teachings expounded
in the Mahayoga Tantra school, or the esoteric school of vajrayana.
Hemis Monastery simply conjures up an image
of magnificent snow covered peaks, alpine green valleys and
high altitude passes. It reflects the Buddhist culture and
living life in harmony among such harsh climatic conditions
of Ladakh. There are a number of shrines around this great
courtyard, all of them of considerable interest.
Hemis, however, it best
known to tourists because of its colorful festival held in
July. At this time, monks perform their traditional dances
to celebrate the birth anniversary of the monastery's founder,
Padmasambhava. Its resident Lamas perform sacred masked dances
leading to the destruction of the evil forces, & sacrificial
offerings. The festival takes an auspicious turn every 12
years in the Tibetan year of the Monkey (2004).
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THIKSEY
MONASTERY |
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Thiskey Gonpa, 17km. south
of Leh, the most beautiful of all the Monasteries in Ladakh,
belongs to the Gelukspa order. The Thiskey festival is held
in the month of October-November.Around 80 Monks reside here
at present. Buses are available between Leh and Thiskey every
30 minutes.
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SHEY PLACE |
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Shey, around 15 kms,
south of Leh was the seat of power of the first king of Ladakh,
Lhachen Spalgigon, who constructedthe hill-top fortress. The
ruin can be seen above the present Shey Palace. There are
hundreds of Chortens(stupas) and Dresthang Gonpa built around
the palace, which are under the Thiskey Monastery.
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DESKIT MONASTERY |
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Deskit
is the main village or headquarter of Nubra Valley, Which
has a small market consisting of a row of shops and around
500 years old Gonpa on the Hilltop. Spectacular view of the
valley can be seen from the monastery.
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