Hemis Monastery or Hemis Gompa is the largest monastic institution in Ladakh.  It belongs to the Drukpa Lineage or the Dragon order of Mahayana Buddhism, with his holiness, the Gyalwang Drukpa as its supreme spritual head, Gyalwa Gotsangpa Gonpa Dorje (1189-1258).  A main disciple of the 1st Gyalwang Drukpa, Tsangpa Gyare Yese Dorje (1161-1211) and one of the most celebraed yogis in the Mimalayas, came to Ladakh in the 13th century and established the Drukpa Lineage here.  Gyalwa Gotsangpa meditated in a cave on the edge of the mountain above Hemis Monastery, where a meditation centre named after him was established.

In the 17th century, the 1st Taktsang Repa, Ngawang Gyatso (1573-1651) popularly known as "Taktsang Shambunath" adn also in Ladakh language as "Staktsang Raspa", who was another great Drukpa Lineage master, became the royal preceptor of the kingdom of Ladakh and with the support of King Sengge Namgyal (1616-1645), he founded the Hemis Monastery. Taktsang Repa was sent by his gurus, the 5th Gyalwang Drukpa, Pagsam Wangpo (1593-1653), and the 1st Drukpa Yongdzin Rinpoche, Lhatsewa Ngawang Zangpo (1545-1615).  To Ladakh in order to spread the teachings of Lord Buddha and to benefit the people here.

Taktsang Repa arrived in 1624 and founded Hanley Monastery, the first monastic intitution beloing to the Drukpa Lineage.  Two year later, Taktsang Repa arrived at Hemis and was received by King Sengge Namgyal and members of the royal court.  The king had the above know as Samten Ling, which is still intact built at Hemis where Taktsang Repa preached for many years.  Taktsang Repa's arrival results in the flourishing of the Drukpa Lineage in Ladakh and neighbouring Himalayan regions.  He an his successive reincarnations became the spritual Gurus of Ladakh King & their people.

The 2nd Taktsang Repa took the great granson of King Dede Namgyal prince Mipha Jampel Thustob Dorje, popularly know as Gyalsey Rinpoche, under his care and gave him the basis spiritual education. Gyalsey Rinpoche later went to Tibet to receive his full ordination vows and spiritual trainings from great masters.

Hemis has more than 200 branch monastries in the Himalayas and more 1000 monks under its care.  It is an important living monument and heritage of Himalayas and its people.

The annual Hemis festival takes place on the 10 and 11th Day of the 5th lunar calendar, introduced by Gyalsey Rinpoche. On the first day of the festival, a dance-homage is organized commemorating the birth anniversary of Lord Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche. The festival is the most famous celebration of the Tibetan Buddhist Gompa festivals In Ladakh. Energetic and enchanting dances go with the cacophonous sounds of cymbals, small trumpets, large size wind instruments, and large-pan drums. The Lamas dress like demons and gods and bang on drums.