Jammu and Kashmir
The 2016 Hemis festival will be held at the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) from July 14, 2016 to celebrate the birthday of Lord Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), who is believed to be the local savior who banished demons and evil spirits. It is said that he introduced Buddhism in the Himalayan Kingdom as early as the 8th century. The 2-day festival will be unique this year because the famous silk thangka of Guru Rinpoche will be unfurled, which takes place once in every 12 years, as 2016 is the Tibetan Year of the Monkey.