Hemis (written in Chennai)

In the morning of Tuesday 20 June, we, Timo and I,  got up early to catch the only bus to Hemis.

Hemis monastery is about 40 km from Leh and takes about 2 hours by bus. Last time when I went to Spittuk I was a bit late and had to hang out of the door. This time the bus left the bus station not completely full. We past Shey and Tiksey on the right I saw the snow top mountains of the Stok range.

 

Halfway an old Ladakhi steps in the bus, he wears a dirty old Ladki coat. The coat is dark purple/ brown and full of stains with the traditional coat he wears sneakers.This is a very common combination a traditional coat with sneakers. The old man has in his right had a rosary, with every beat he murmurs "Ohm mani pad me hum". He continues till we are close to Hemis in Karu he steps out as most of the other people. 

 

With only one other Ladki we turn right up towards Hemis.  In the distance we saw the first signs of something with the appearing of some small white stupas and Mani walls. But the monastery is hiding himself in the far back of the valley between trees and a river. 

 

Hemis was founded in the early 17 century and belongs to the Brokpa order. 

After visiting we went to another gompa 2 km away above and on 4250 meter the highest Hermitage of Ladakh. In this Gompa ( I have to look up the name) live about 30 lama's. To climb up it took us about 1,5 hours, crossing some small streams jumping from stone to stone. We past a school for novice munks palying cricket. In the Hermitage we were invited for a cup of tea and we saw the praying hall. Of the about 30 lamas, 15 are in meditation for up  to 3 years. They van not leave the boundaries of there meditation retreat. We helped one of the Monk wit cutting some glass. After that we walked down to Hemis, there was no bus back to Leh so we walked slowely to Karu about 7 km down hill. In Karu we hitchhiked and returned to Leh in the back of minivan.  It was a great day.