Ladakh: Naropa Festival 2016

Held only every 12 years, one of the biggest Buddhist festivals of the world began yesterday at the Hemis Monastery in Leh. The festival celebrates the millennial birth anniversary of Naropa–one of the greatest Buddhist  teachers, who is also considered to be one of the 84 Mahasiddhas of Vajrayana  Buddhism. The Drukpa order of Hemis consider Naropa to be one of the earliest gurus of their lineage, and the current Gyalwang Drukpa, the head of the order, is considered a re-incarnation of Naropa.  Attended by more than 5 lakh visitors from around the world, this festival is also called the ‘Kumbh of the Himalayas. Alongside traditional religious rituals during the day, each evening will feature performances with some of the biggest names from Bollywood. The celebration will end on September 22, 2016.