Hemis Festival is celebrated to remember the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava who is prominently known as the second Buddha. It is celebrated in the month of June and July as per Georgian calendar.

It takes place annually on the 10th day of the Tibetan lunar month in the Hemis Monastery, that is the biggest Buddhist monastery of Ladakh in India.

The highlights of the festival are contradictory explanations, sacred dances and special musical performances. The monks and lamas gather at Hemis Gompa to perform dance of divine masks to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Women dress up themselves in bright headgear and lots of jewelry, while men wear cummerbunds. During the festival sale exhibitions are organized where one can see a variety of handicrafts.