٠٠:٠٣:٠٦Thousands of visitors flocked to the spectacular Ladakh highlands in northern India on Sunday to witness the extravagant Hemis Festival, one of the biggest events in Tibetan Buddhism.
Footage shows the visitors entering the Hemis Monastery's courtyard, around 12,000 feet above sea level, where they were treated to a vibrant ceremony featuring the famous lamas - or spiritual leaders - and monks in traditional costumes and masks, showcasing unique dances and instruments throughout the ceremony.
"The visitors who travel here to see this festival don't know about our local culture and tradition, but here they can see the traditional dance and prayers, so these visitors get to know more about Ladakh. I think it's a good way to promote tourism," said local resident Radha.
"This time is my first time in the Hemis Festival, and I like all the people together and the emotion that children and all people bring for this festival," said Mariyana, a tourist from Italy. "I've never seen something like that in Italy. We are really used to different stuff, so I love the colours, and the music and dance here," she added.
"Those visitors who come to see this festival are not aware of the local culture and tradition, but in this festival when they see the traditional dance and traditional prayers, the visitors get to know more about Ladakh," added Radha, a local visitor.
The Hemis Festival in Ladakh commemorates the anniversary of the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, who was believed to have spread Buddhism in Tibet during the 8th century and is regarded as the 'Second Buddha' in local culture.
The ceremony is devoted to the theme of good over evil, displayed through dances, music and plays performed by the lamas. The two-day event seeks to preserve the cultural heritage in the Ladakh region, known as the 'Land of Lamas' due to its importance in Tibetan Buddhism and the number of monasteries located there.
Land of Lamas - Thousands make epic trek for 12,000-feet-high Tibetan Buddhist Hemis Festival
Thousands of visitors flocked to the spectacular Ladakh highlands in northern India on Sunday to witness the extravagant Hemis Festival, one of the biggest events in Tibetan Buddhism.
Footage shows the visitors entering the Hemis Monastery's courtyard, around 12,000 feet above sea level, where they were treated to a vibrant ceremony featuring the famous lamas - or spiritual leaders - and monks in traditional costumes and masks, showcasing unique dances and instruments throughout the ceremony.
"The visitors who travel here to see this festival don't know about our local culture and tradition, but here they can see the traditional dance and prayers, so these visitors get to know more about Ladakh. I think it's a good way to promote tourism," said local resident Radha.
"This time is my first time in the Hemis Festival, and I like all the people together and the emotion that children and all people bring for this festival," said Mariyana, a tourist from Italy. "I've never seen something like that in Italy. We are really used to different stuff, so I love the colours, and the music and dance here," she added.
"Those visitors who come to see this festival are not aware of the local culture and tradition, but in this festival when they see the traditional dance and traditional prayers, the visitors get to know more about Ladakh," added Radha, a local visitor.
The Hemis Festival in Ladakh commemorates the anniversary of the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, who was believed to have spread Buddhism in Tibet during the 8th century and is regarded as the 'Second Buddha' in local culture.
The ceremony is devoted to the theme of good over evil, displayed through dances, music and plays performed by the lamas. The two-day event seeks to preserve the cultural heritage in the Ladakh region, known as the 'Land of Lamas' due to its importance in Tibetan Buddhism and the number of monasteries located there.
Thousands of visitors flocked to the spectacular Ladakh highlands in northern India on Sunday to witness the extravagant Hemis Festival, one of the biggest events in Tibetan Buddhism.
Footage shows the visitors entering the Hemis Monastery's courtyard, around 12,000 feet above sea level, where they were treated to a vibrant ceremony featuring the famous lamas - or spiritual leaders - and monks in traditional costumes and masks, showcasing unique dances and instruments throughout the ceremony.
"The visitors who travel here to see this festival don't know about our local culture and tradition, but here they can see the traditional dance and prayers, so these visitors get to know more about Ladakh. I think it's a good way to promote tourism," said local resident Radha.
"This time is my first time in the Hemis Festival, and I like all the people together and the emotion that children and all people bring for this festival," said Mariyana, a tourist from Italy. "I've never seen something like that in Italy. We are really used to different stuff, so I love the colours, and the music and dance here," she added.
"Those visitors who come to see this festival are not aware of the local culture and tradition, but in this festival when they see the traditional dance and traditional prayers, the visitors get to know more about Ladakh," added Radha, a local visitor.
The Hemis Festival in Ladakh commemorates the anniversary of the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, who was believed to have spread Buddhism in Tibet during the 8th century and is regarded as the 'Second Buddha' in local culture.
The ceremony is devoted to the theme of good over evil, displayed through dances, music and plays performed by the lamas. The two-day event seeks to preserve the cultural heritage in the Ladakh region, known as the 'Land of Lamas' due to its importance in Tibetan Buddhism and the number of monasteries located there.