About The Temple
Hemis Monastery, nestled in the serene landscapes of Ladakh, is the largest and wealthiest Buddhist monastery in the region. Located 45 km southeast of Leh, it was established in 1672 by King Sengge Namgyal and follows the Drukpa Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery is famous for its grand Hemis Festival, ancient relics, intricate murals, and sacred thangkas. Surrounded by the breathtaking Hemis National Park, home to the elusive snow leopard, the monastery offers a spiritual retreat amidst nature’s splendor.
Description & Speciality
Built: 1672 by King Sengge Namgyal
Architecture: Traditional Tibetan Buddhist style
Significance:Hemis Festival (June/July) - Dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche)
Largest thangka in Ladakh, unveiled every 12 years
Murals depicting Buddhist mythology
Houses ancient manuscripts, stupas, and copper Buddha statues
Located within Hemis National Park, famous for snow leopards
Address & Location
Address: Hemis Monastery, Hemis Village, Leh District, Ladakh, India.
Longitude & Latitude: 33.9125° N, 77.7075° E
Temple Timings
Open Daily: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Lunch Break: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Entry Fee:
₹50 for Indian nationals
₹200 for foreign nationals
Sevas (Offerings & Rituals)
Daily Prayers & Chanting by monks
Special Pujas for prosperity and peace
Butter Lamp Offerings
Spiritual Discourses & Meditation Sessions
Hemis Festival – Masked Cham Dance performed by Lamas
How to Reach Hemis Monastery
By Air
Nearest Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (Leh) (~45 km)
Flights Available:Regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar, Chandigarh
Taxi Fare (Leh to Hemis): ₹2,500 – ₹3,500
By Train
Nearest Railway Station: Jammu Tawi (812 km)
Route:Jammu to Srinagar (By train/taxi) Srinagar to Leh (By taxi/bus via Kargil, takes 2 days)
By Road
Nearest Bus Stand: Leh Bus Stand
Bus Route: Regular buses run from Leh to Hemis Monastery Private taxis and bike rentals available from Leh
Self-Drive: Leh to Hemis Monastery: 45 km, approx. 1.5 hours via Leh-Manali Highway Bike Rentals in Leh: ₹1,200 – ₹2,500 per day
Facilities
Food Facilities
No major restaurants inside the monastery
Small eateries nearby serving Tibetan cuisine (momos, thukpa, butter tea)
Best dining options available in Leh town
Stay Facilities
Hotels & Guesthouses:Budget and mid-range hotels in Leh (₹1,500 – ₹7,000 per night)
Popular Hotels:
The Grand Dragon Ladakh (Luxury)
Ladakh Residency (Mid-range)
Zostel Leh (Backpackers)
Monastery Stay:Limited spiritual retreat accommodations Requires advance booking
Nearby Transport Hubs
Railway Station: Jammu Tawi (812 km)
Airport: Leh Airport (45 km)
Bus Stand: Leh Bus Stand (45 km)
Nearby Attractions
Nearby Cities
Leh – 45 km
Srinagar – 435 km
Manali – 480 km
Nearby Temples & Places
Hemis National Park – Home to snow leopards & Himalayan wildlife
Thiksey Monastery (35 km) – Ladakh’s most scenic monastery
Shey Palace (40 km) – Former royal residence of Ladakh kings
Spituk Monastery (50 km) – Famous hilltop monastery
Shanti Stupa (Leh) – Offers breathtaking views
Pangong Lake – Famous for its color-changing blue waters (~150 km)
Magnetic Hill – Optical illusion spot where vehicles appear to move uphill
Best Time to Visit
May – September (Ideal for travel & sightseeing)
June/July (Hemis Festival for cultural experience)
October – April (Extreme winter; roads may be blocked)
Shopping in Leh
Buddhist Handicrafts: Thangkas, prayer wheels, Buddha statues
Pashmina Shawls: Authentic Kashmiri wool shawls
Tibetan Jewelry: Silver and turquoise ornaments
Apricot Products: Dried apricots & apricot oil
Handwoven Carpets & Rugs: Ladakhi & Kashmiri wool rugs
