Hemis Monastery of the Buddhists is located at a distance of 47 km from the city in the southeast direction of Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. Located on the largest hill in the city - Hemis Math, which is the main attraction of the city. For the tourists, this city and its monasteries are very peaceful and relaxed.
The Hemis Monastery Ladakh was first rebuilt in 1630 AD by the Stagsung Raspa Nawang Gyatso. Later in 1972, King Senj Nampar Gwalwa rebuilt the monastery and also built a religious school.
This religious school of Tibetan Buddhists is built in the Tibetan architecture style that reflects Buddhist life and culture. There is something special in every corner of the monastery and there are many pilgrimages as well, but the center of attraction of the entire monastery is the statue of Lord Buddha of copper. Apart from this, the Kalachakra depicting the cycle of life has also been placed on the walls of the monastery. The monastery has two main parts called Jin Dukhang and Shongkhang.
Presently this Hemis Monastery is maintained by people of the Drukpa sect, who are considered followers of the Vajrayana branch of Mahayana sect of Buddhism. Vajrayana has been mentioned in the history of Buddhism for his journey from the presumptive contemplation of Mahayana to the observance of Buddhist thought in personal life. This branch was developed in Tibet. The sect is believed to have flourished in the sixth to seventh centuries. The Drukpa sect developed under Vajrayana and Vajrayana under Mahayana.
The Hemis in Ladakh is famous for the statue of the seventeenth-century ruler of the state of Ladakh settled on the Silk Route was unveiled at the Hemis Monastery in Leh on Friday. The concept of installing this statue in Leh was conceived by Dharma Guru Gwalwang Drukpa of the lineage of the Vajrayana branch of Buddhism in 2017. It was further promoted by Hemis Math. Amidst Ladakh becoming a Union Territory, the new statue of Hemis Mutt ruler Rakshage Namgyal is dedicated to the people. This statue is a symbol of the history, strength, and greatness of Ladakh.
King Singe Namgyal worked a lot towards promoting the arts along with the promotion of Buddhism. He also built several monasteries in Ladakh along with the nine-story Leh Palace. King Singe Namgyal Lama was very much influenced by Stactsang. The king granted him the status of the Lama, the patron of the kingdom of Ladakh. Hemis Math was started in Leh under the guidance of Raja Singe. 25 students from Baltistan were brought here to become lamas. Today Hemis monastery is the most revered monastery of Ladakh.
Hemis Monastery raised funds to install an 18 feet tall statue of Raja Singe Namgyal. The statue, set up at Leh's Skirregs Chowk, is the result of the hard work of the young Ladakhi artist. This statue, established just a day after the formation of the Union Territory of Ladakh, will remind how King Singe Namgyal organized Ladakh and preserved its rich cultural heritage
How to reach
Hemis Monastery is situated 38 km from Leh and it can be reached by taxi or cab. Tourists can also rent a bike from the city and visit here. The nearest airport is the Leh airport which is situated at a distance of 43 km. People going to Leh from Manali can stop here and seeks blessings.
Best time to visit
Summer season is the ideal time to visit the monastery when the region experiences warm weather during the day time.
Places to visit near Hemis Monastery
Thiksey Monastery, Stakna Monastery, Chemrey Monastery, and Hemis National Park are the famous places to visit near the Hemis Monastery.
Hemis Monastery Timings: 8:00 A.M to 6:00 P.M
Hemis Monastery Entry Fees: INR 50 per person
