Introduction / Context:
The Hemis festival is a famous Buddhist cultural and religious festival associated with the Hemis Monastery in the Himalayan region. It is often mentioned in tourism and current affairs sections dealing with Ladakh and high altitude monasteries. In 2016, the festival received attention in news reports, and this question asks you to recall the state context at that time.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The event is the Hemis festival in the year 2016.
- Four Indian states are listed: Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.
- We have to identify the state within which Hemis Monastery and the festival were located as per the administrative boundaries in 2016.
- We assume the pre reorganisation status of the region.
Concept / Approach:
Hemis Monastery is situated in the Ladakh region. Until the reorganisation of the state in 2019, Ladakh was part of the larger state of Jammu and Kashmir. Therefore, when the Hemis festival was held in 2016, it was considered to be in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. After reorganisation, Ladakh became a separate Union Territory, but exam questions referring to the 2016 festival typically expect the earlier state name Jammu and Kashmir as the answer.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Hemis Monastery is located in the Ladakh region of northern India.
Step 2: Remember that in 2016, Ladakh was a part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Step 3: Check the options for Jammu and Kashmir.
Step 4: Recognise that Manipur, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh are not where Hemis Monastery is located.
Step 5: Based on the 2016 administrative map, choose Jammu and Kashmir as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
News articles and current affairs explanations about the 2016 Hemis festival mention that it was held at Hemis Monastery in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. Only later, in 2019, was the region reorganised into the separate Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Therefore, for questions framed with the 2016 context, selecting Jammu and Kashmir follows the historically accurate administrative status.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Manipur: A state in north eastern India, far from Ladakh and not associated with the Hemis festival.
Uttarakhand: A Himalayan state, but famous for different pilgrimages and festivals, not for Hemis Monastery.
Himachal Pradesh: Another Himalayan state with its own monasteries and fairs, but the Hemis festival is not located here.
Common Pitfalls:
With the creation of the separate Union Territory of Ladakh, some students now think of Hemis as being simply in Ladakh and may get confused when the options do not list Ladakh separately. It is important to notice the year mentioned in the question and answer according to the political boundaries relevant at that time. In 2016, the correct administrative unit was Jammu and Kashmir.
Final Answer:
The 2016 Hemis festival was held in
Jammu and Kashmir, in the Ladakh region.
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