The Zeal Of the Fest !
After covering the exotic locales of the Ladakh, finally time came to cover the famous Hemis Festival. Since my boss particularly ordered me to cover this festival, I was quiet prepared to work on it. My guide, Laxi, told me that this festival is held every 10th day of the lunar month and is celeberated as the birthday of Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan buddhism.

Well, the festival was held for 2 days, and showcased the best of cultural heritage of the region. I featured the colourful dresses of the people and their enthralling moods. The fest also displayed an array of handicrafts. The mood of the festival was such that I literally forgot that I was there to shoot the celeberation. I had great fun shooting for the dance and the drama that was conducted for two days.

Another festival that I came to know was the famous Losar, that the Buddhist celeberates as their New Year. My guide told me that this festivity includes illumination, drinking, dancing, singing and general merry-making.

The World of Excitement!!
As when I was covering one of the temples, the priest over their told me that the Bodhi months in Ladakh is considered quiet auspicious. He told me that the people over here celeberates Tampe Chonga on the fifteenth day of the first Bodhi month and is celebrated as a festival marking Buddha's entry into the womb of his mother. Prayers are held both at home and in the gompas.

Another festival that was celeberated on the fifteenth day of the fourth Bodhi month is Jipe Chonga, the day when the Buddha is believed to have taken physical birth. The people fast on the Jipe Chonga day. Homes and gompas are illuminated and special prayers are conducted.