Hemis Tse-chu, Ladakh, India

Welcome to Hemis, 45 km from Leh where we were staying. You can see photos of Leh in my previous posting.

We were fortunate to be in Ladakh at the time of the annual Hemis Tse-chu (festival) held at the Hemis Tibetan Buddhist gompa (monastery) at 3,657 metres (12,000 feet). It is one of the highest monasteries in the world. It is also where I got my first taste of altitude sickness!

At the festival the monks take part in masked dances as you can see in this first photo of one of the beautiful masks. More of the dances later.

This occasion was so full of photo opportunities that I have made this issue a bumper issue with 40 photos. I hope you enjoy them and it gives you a feel for the visual feast that we witnessed.
















These first photos were taken on the way to
Hemis The 8 stupas you can see represent the
8 major events in the Buddha's life including
his birth, enlightenment and death















Incredible rock formation
















Very cold, clear and energetic!
















The view as we climb up to Hemis






















Another stupa at the
beginning of Hemis village
















Having fun taking a precarious shortcut






















Contemplation; seated and standing
















A boy monk making his way to the Hemis
Monastery
















Classic Ladakhi architecture
















The people are so colourful in every way






















Striking
















At the entrance to the Monastery. The Festival
is a big attraction
















Inside the monastery courtyard where the
masked dance was being held
















The event is spectacular in this beautiful
monastery.....
















...with an amazing backdrop






















The Festival of Hemis Tse-chu
is a 200 year old tradition






















Great expressions on the masks
















The masks and costumes worn by the dancer
primarily represent various guardians of the
Drug-pa order, of which Hemis is the leading
establishment in Ladakh
















The highest viewing spot
















Essentially the Hemis dance-drama depicts
the magical feats of Padmasambhava in his
eight different manifestations. He is said to
have transmitted Tantric Buddhism to
Bhutan and Tibet and neighbouring
countries in the 8th century
















Ladies with heavy artillery
















Like a box at the opera! Slightly different
theatrical setting






















This lady is on the roof!
I really love her fasion sense






















Part of the monastic ritual














These guys were the jokers and brought
some welcome light relief

















A moment in the crowd. What a great jumper
on the little boy













This Lama's costume is pretty cool too















This monk grabbed somebody's bottle of
water and gave a few people a shower
















When the wind blows it kicks up the dust


















A scary row of masked and armed dancers.
Fantastic colours















A rather less scary row of local women






















Traditional hats






















My camera took this photo, not me!
It was attracted by this girl's beauty
and her gorgeous hair......






















A still moment
















This woman is wearing the lovely but heavy
local necklaces
















Another shot of the beautiful surroundings
as we reach the car to come away from
Hemis. By this time I am feeling pretty
horrible due to the altitude
















Stark and stunning
















The green and blue make such a delicious contrast
















A final shot of the snow capped mountains





















For those of you who would
like more info on the monastery

Next time I'll show you photos
of our trip to the Pangong lake.
A real ordeal for me but still
worth it!

Thanks for coming