Hemis Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Ladakh, India. As the center of spiritual life in Ladakh, it is regarded as a holy place. It lies south of Leh and is at an elevation of 3,700 meters. Hemis Monastery is an ancient Buddhist monastery located in the Leh district of Ladakh, India. It is considered one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Ladakh. Hemis Monastery was founded in the 17th century by Stagsan Raspa.
The monastery is perched atop a hill overlooking Leh and houses a large number of statues and murals depicting scenes from the Buddha's life. The monastery also houses a library and a museum with items dating back to the 11th century. The grounds of the monastery are sprawling and offer visitors plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the view.
There are a few ways to reach There. The way is to fly into Leh airport and take a taxi or local bus to the monastery. The Second way is to take a train from Delhi and then a taxi or local bus to the monastery.
The architecture of Hemis Monastery is unique and renowned for its exquisite carvings. The walls, ceilings, and pillars are adorned with finely carved Mandala motifs, religious texts, and images of deities from Indian religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Some of the famous carvings include those depicting Buddha's enlightenment under a bodhi tree, scenes from the life of Gautama Buddha, and depictions of Lamas traveling across snowy landscapes.
The monastery occupies an imposing site on top of a hill overlooking Leh town. The architecture of the monastery is distinctive, with a mix of traditional and modern features. The main gate is flanked by two large statues of Naga kings, while inside the complex there are numerous temples and pagodas, as well as water tanks and garages for monks' vehicles. The monastery also has an extensive library, which contains manuscripts from various parts of India and Tibet.
