Oct 4, 2012

Thursday Challenge -The Hemis Festival at Ladakh !

Today"s Thursday Challenge is "CULTURE" (Food, Dance, Clothing, Festivals,...) 

Last summer I had the opportunity to see the Hemis festival in Ladakh.
 It is one of the most visually enriching and vibrant festival I have ever seen. 


The Hemis monastery is one of the finest and richest in Ladakh. Situated on the outskirts of Leh – around 40 km from the city, Hemis monastery is most famous for the festival it holds annually for two days during the summer.



The monastery started getting crowded from early morning and it was choc a block with not only tourists but locals who had come from far flung villages to see the festival.We actually had to climb on the wall to get a clear view ! 


 Highlight of the festival are the masked dances called Chamm which are performed by the Lamas of the monastery. 


The costumes and masks are brightly coloured  and very elaborate. Since the faces of the lamas are hidden behind the masks, it’s their movements  as well as the elaborately decorated and painted masks that actually depict the nature of the character and the emotions the dancer is portraying.  




Most of the dances portrayed the victory of Good over evil ! 




20 comments:

  1. This is like a feast for all senses!! Beautiful and vibrant colors, wonderful music, the air of festivity around...
    Laddakh is simply an awesome experience!!
    Wow take on today's theme! :)

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  2. Loved that Ruch :) I wish I get to be a part of the Hemis festival sometime too!

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  3. I am just surprised that EVERYONE except me has already been to Ladakh!

    Great pictures.

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  4. I havent been there too...would love to, more so after the lovely pics.

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  5. @shilpa - Ladakh is an experience like no other !
    @shail - Thank you !
    @Swaram - yes you would love it !
    @Rickie, @Alka - Go go go !! Its an out of the world experience !

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  6. aah i wrote an article on this (for a website!!) without visiting it!!

    now i need to visit asap!!!


    http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/

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  7. Glad you had the chance to visit this vibrant traditional folk dance and festival!

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  8. I want to go there tooooooooooooooo

    God so many places to visit nad dont know if i have that much time .. now this makes me sad

    beautiful picutres and thanks for sharing I have to go there

    Bikram's

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  9. The pictures that you have added in your post is really a treat to the eyes. The whole festival seems to be colorful and quite enjoyable. I am sure you had a great time. I really wish to visit Ladakh but haven't got a chance till now. Hope to get one in future. Thanks for the post!

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  10. Such good pictures, a true feast to the senses. I am so jealous of you. I wanna come too :).

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  11. @shooting star – it was a wonderful experience
    @Aparna – So am I – grateful that I could see something so wonderful ! And welcome here :)
    @Bikram – Don’t be sad, if you love to travel you will somehow find a way !
    @Shruti – Thank you ! Yes I had a wonderful time. Ladakh is definitely worth a visit !and welcome here !
    @Rachna – next time I go travelling .. come with me !

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  12. Wow! I can see you had a great time watching this festival. Beautiful, vibrant and rich culture. Great post and pictures.

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  13. Woah this blog is excellent i really like reading your articles. Stay up the great paintings! You recognize, a lot of persons are searching around for this information, you can help them greatly.

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  14. Wow! Love the picks and love your blog. Once again wow! From socking images

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  15. This post is a veritable feast of Hemis! Beautiful photographs: They tell so much about the contents of the dance.

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  16. Girl on wheels, you need to start a travel blog!

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  17. @umashankar - Thank you ! I love clicking photographs !
    @Purba - :p

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  18. Photographs were feast to my eyes. Those sunflowers were real?? I am a big fan of sunflowers.

    Did you go to Yukon?

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  19. Excellent narration and amazing photos!
    Hemis Festival in India about well crafted publish, I liked it!

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