Hemis Gompa The Hemis Gompa is the biggest and the most famous Gompa of Ladakh. As one climbs up the hillside, the Gompa becomes visible and one notices that the walls are made of stone, painted white. The windows, which are fringed with colored frills for curtains on the outside, are latticed in a Tibetan design and painted in bright, simple patterns. This painting is on every piece of wood both inside and outside the structure. The gates are carved from wood, with a cutout border, and painted a canary yellow. The dome is square, painted with intricate designs from the life of Buddha, and surmounted with tops in gold leaf.

A buddhist monk in deep thought. Credit: Discover India magazine

In front of all the idols are many rows of small brass bowls, each filled with water. Before the altar are cushioned seats for the lama in constant attendance on the spirit of the Buddha. The walls are lined with carved and painted pigeon holes, each holding the manuscript of a scripture. These manuscripts are made of two boards joined together by a cloth, which holds the handwritten parchment.

A small room above the temple contains two more altars and many more carved images of the Buddha, besides all the grotesque masks and head dresses used in the war dance and the devil dance on special occasions.

The war dance is held during the "Feast of the Snowy Heights" to celebrate the spirit of the demons. These Buddhists have incorporated some of the local folklore in their religion.

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