LADAKH, India (AP) — One by one, 13 Buddhist monks wearing brightly colored silk costumes and wide-brimmed black hats, stepped onto the rectangular courtyard of the Hemis monastery. They began a ritual dance to a slow rhythm set by drums, cymbals and horns.
As they moved, the white human skull motifs on their costume caught the morning sun. They danced to ward off mythical evil beings and clear the courtyard of negative energy.
That set the stage for the ritual dances to follow at the Hemis Festival — or Hemis Tsechu.
Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
A Buddhist monk in a ceremonial costume performs a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
A traditional Tibetan Buddhist art work called Thangka is displayed during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Devotees pray as they watch the opening ceremony of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Buddhist monks and nuns watch a ritual dance performance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Buddhist monks replace a prayer flag in the courtyard of the Hemis monastery the day before the beginning of a two-day festival, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Friday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Novice Buddhist monks walk back after lessons at the Hemis monastery the day before the beginning of a two-day festival, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Friday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Novice Buddhist monks jump on a trampoline outside the Hemis monastery the day before the beginning of a two-day festival, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Friday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
A Buddhist monk in a ceremonial costume performs a ritual dance with others during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Devotees watch Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Buddhist nuns and monks watch a ritual dance performance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Devotees watch Buddhist monks in ceremonial costume perform a ritual dance during the first day of the two-day festival at the Hemis monastery, on the outskirts of Leh, India, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Hemis Gompa belongs to the Drukpa Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and is one of the most important monasteries in Ladakh. Built in the 17th century, it lies at an elevation of about 3,560 meters (12,000 feet) in the northern Indian desert mountainous territory.
The festival, believed to have originated in the first half of the 18th century and observed annually ever since, commemorates the birthday of the 8th-century Indian master Padmasambhava, who is credited to have helped establish Buddhism in Tibet.
The two-day summer festival falls on the 10th and 11th days of the fifth month in the Tibetan calendar. This year’s festival was observed on July 5 and 6.
