Naropa festival returns to Ladakh after 12 years
Once in 12 years, people from across the Himalayas gather at Hemis monastery in Ladakh to celebrate Naropa festival, also known as ‘Hemis Festival’. The one month long festival, which will host several rare events of dance, music and spiritual teachings will be a treat to the eyes of visitors.
The festival is celebrated in respect of Buddhist yogi Naropa, a revered 11th century Buddhist scholar-saint, who publicized the beginning of a rich tradition in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. The six yogas of Naropa, are one of the fundamental pillars of the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition. His legacy of experiential learning and active compassion continue to have a lasting impact on the modern world.
Naropa, who was born to a royal family of Kashmir, was raised by monks because everyone, including the king and queen, believed he was not worldly. He then went to Nalanda University and was known to be a brilliant debater.
Its been said that Naropa then became agatekeeper of NalandaUniversity and asked questions on philosophy and theology to people who came for admission to know whether they deserve the admission or not. Then he came to Ladakh and meditated in caves near Lamayuru and Zanskar.
This year, its an 1000thyear anniversary of Naropa’s visit to Ladakh. Usually the festival is celebrated for the whole month, but this time one can see an extended version of the annual Hemis festival where monks in colourful costumes and masks dance to the beats of traditional instruments to commemorate Guru Padmasambhava’s birth anniversary.
There will be many events at the festival like tree planting programmes, cultural performances and free eye camps to benefit the locals. However, the main attractions of the month-long festivals will be, when the Gyalwang Drukpa, the head of the Drukpa Order, wears the six bone ornaments of Naropa, which are some of the holiest treasures of Buddhism.
After the event this year, a statue of Naropa will be installed and consecrated as a monument. The festival will also witness the largest assembly of Drukpa masters offering their teachings and sermons, besides the ceremonial unfurling of the historic silk ‘thangka’ on 14thJuly.
