Hemis Tsechu

One of the must-visit festivals in Ladakh is Hemis Tsechu. It’s a colourful two-day affair that falls on 10th of the fifth month of Tibetan lunar calendar. The occasion celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava - the founder of Nyingma, the oldest order of Tibetan Buddhism. If you haven’t witnessed any extravagant Cham Performance, then Hemis monastery is the destination to consider. The mask dance represents different figures of god, goddess, dakini and asuras. Particular to this festival, you will witness the performance of Guru Padmasambhava and his eight manifestations. The dancers, adorned aesthetically in silk brocade, perform with musical instruments like drums, cymbals and longhorns. You cannot miss the display of 22 feet high thangka of Guru Padmasambhava, intricately made with the finest of silk.