HEMIS: Hundreds of thousands of monks, devotees and tourists have
flocked to India’s remote Ladakh region for a rare Buddhist festival,
dubbed the “Kumbh Mela of the Himalayas” by promoters.
Dancers in bright, silk costumes and striking headgear performed to flocked to India’s remote Ladakh region for a rare Buddhist festival,
dubbed the “Kumbh Mela of the Himalayas” by promoters.
drum and pipe music as part of the festival being held in a mountain
village to commemorate the 1,000th birth anniversary of Buddhist
saint Naropa.
The Indian saint and scholar is heralded by followers for starting a
rich tradition of Buddhist philosophy in the 11th century.
rich tradition of Buddhist philosophy in the 11th century.
Held only once every 12 years, the Naropa Festival draws huge
numbers of Buddhists, especially those from the Drukpa branch which
is traditionally practised in Ladakh and Bhutan.
numbers of Buddhists, especially those from the Drukpa branch which
is traditionally practised in Ladakh and Bhutan.
Among those in the crowd in Hemis village for the week-long festival
was award-winning Chinese-Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh.
was award-winning Chinese-Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh.
India is renowned for its numerous religious festivals – including the
main Kumbh Mela pilgrimage for Hindus held every 12 years – during
which masses of devotees gather at sacred rivers and temples in often
chaotic scenes and in searing temperatures.
main Kumbh Mela pilgrimage for Hindus held every 12 years – during
which masses of devotees gather at sacred rivers and temples in often
chaotic scenes and in searing temperatures.
In contrast, the Naropa Festival is being held in the tranquil Himalayan
village that includes a palace and monastery, located some 45 kilometres
(28 miles) from the region’s main town of Leh.
village that includes a palace and monastery, located some 45 kilometres
(28 miles) from the region’s main town of Leh.
A highlight of the week-long festival that started on Friday was the display
of the sacred Six Bone Ornaments – believed to have belonged to Naropa
– in an hours-long outdoor ceremony.
of the sacred Six Bone Ornaments – believed to have belonged to Naropa
– in an hours-long outdoor ceremony.
The Drukpa spiritual leader or the Gyalwang Drukpa unveiled the
ornaments – which include a crown, earrings and a necklace – to scores
of chanting maroon-robed monks and devotees seated under colourful
umbrellas as prayers were performed.
ornaments – which include a crown, earrings and a necklace – to scores
of chanting maroon-robed monks and devotees seated under colourful
umbrellas as prayers were performed.
“I come from south India. Now I came here to see this festival… there
are many people (who) came by airplane and from south India and
other countries,” Sonam Phuntsok, a monk from India’s southern city
of Bangalore, told AFP.
are many people (who) came by airplane and from south India and
other countries,” Sonam Phuntsok, a monk from India’s southern city
of Bangalore, told AFP.
“(It’s a) very nice place here. And the weather is very good. Lots of
people came here, I’m very happy.”
people came here, I’m very happy.”
Another highlight is the ceremonial unfurling of a huge silk tapestry of
Tibet’s patron saint Padmasambhava. The brocade, known in Tibetan
as a thangka, was last exhibited in 2004.
Tibet’s patron saint Padmasambhava. The brocade, known in Tibetan
as a thangka, was last exhibited in 2004.
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