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.
Highlight of the festival are the masked dances called Chamm which are performed by the Lamas of the monastery.
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 !
This is like a feast for all senses!! Beautiful and vibrant colors, wonderful music, the air of festivity around...
ReplyDeleteLaddakh is simply an awesome experience!!
Wow take on today's theme! :)
Wonderful pictures!
ReplyDeleteLoved that Ruch :) I wish I get to be a part of the Hemis festival sometime too!
ReplyDeleteI am just surprised that EVERYONE except me has already been to Ladakh!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures.
I havent been there too...would love to, more so after the lovely pics.
ReplyDelete@shilpa - Ladakh is an experience like no other !
ReplyDelete@shail - Thank you !
@Swaram - yes you would love it !
@Rickie, @Alka - Go go go !! Its an out of the world experience !
aah i wrote an article on this (for a website!!) without visiting it!!
ReplyDeletenow i need to visit asap!!!
http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/
Glad you had the chance to visit this vibrant traditional folk dance and festival!
ReplyDeleteI want to go there tooooooooooooooo
ReplyDeleteGod 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
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!
ReplyDeleteSuch good pictures, a true feast to the senses. I am so jealous of you. I wanna come too :).
ReplyDelete@shooting star – it was a wonderful experience
ReplyDelete@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 !
Wow! I can see you had a great time watching this festival. Beautiful, vibrant and rich culture. Great post and pictures.
ReplyDeleteWoah 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.
ReplyDeleteWow! Love the picks and love your blog. Once again wow! From socking images
ReplyDeleteThis post is a veritable feast of Hemis! Beautiful photographs: They tell so much about the contents of the dance.
ReplyDeleteGirl on wheels, you need to start a travel blog!
ReplyDelete@umashankar - Thank you ! I love clicking photographs !
ReplyDelete@Purba - :p
Photographs were feast to my eyes. Those sunflowers were real?? I am a big fan of sunflowers.
ReplyDeleteDid you go to Yukon?
Excellent narration and amazing photos!
ReplyDeleteHemis Festival in India about well crafted publish, I liked it!