FESTIVAL IN BHUTAN
WITNESS MOST UNIQUE FESTIVAL
At different times of the year, the annual festivals known as “Tsechus” take place in different locations. These Tsechus are festivals extolling the great deeds of Guru Padmasambhava also known as Guru Rinpoche. Festivals are celebrated for several days averaging between three to five days and are the occasion for dances that are purely defined in religious content. The festivals in Bhutan have a reputation for being raucous, joyous affairs. The most popular for tourists are those held in Thimphu, Paro and Bumthang. They mark the busiest time of the year for the tourism industry. Air seats and hotel rooms are frequently difficult to come by.
The Dzongs come to life with colour, music and dancing as valley dwellers and towns folk dress in their finest clothes and join together to exorcise evil spirits and rejoice in a new harvest. Rare masked and sword dances and other rituals are performed in the Dzong’s courtyard and temples. Tourists are allowed into the Dzongs to watch the spectacle, but not the inner sanctuaries.Thimphu and Paro festivals are the most popular for tourists as they are the most accessible.
There are other regional Dromches and Tsechus around the year, taking place in different localities of the Kingdom, which are equally fascinating. The Tsechu at Bumthang is well known for taking place almost entirely during the evening and containing exciting fire dances. Most of the dances date back from beyond the middle ages and are only performed once or twice each year. Each dance has its own spiritual importance and can be performed by monks or lay village elders dressed in bright costumes. Certain festivals end with the unveiling and worship of huge religious appliqués or Throngdrels. Festival goers believe that simply by viewing this Thangkha, they can be delivered or liberated from the samsaric cycle of reincarnation which is the ultimate aim of all Buddhists. For the Bhutanese people, religious festivals offer an opportunity to become immersed in the meaning of their religion and gain much merit.
Festival Dates 2023
DATE | FESTIVAL | PLACE |
---|---|---|
30th April - 2nd May | Domkhar Tshechu | Domkhar, Chumni, Bumthang |
29th - 31st October | Prakhar Duchhoed | Bumthang |
29th - 31st March | Gomphukora | Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang |
29th - 31st March | Talo Tshechu | Talo Gonpa, Punakha |
29th - 31st March | Gasa Tshechu | Gasa Dzong, Gasa |
29th - 31st March | Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang Dzong |
28th October - 1st November | Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang |
28th June | Kurjey Tshechu | Bumthang |
27th November | Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang |
27th - 29th September | Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha |
27th - 29th November | Nalakhar Tshechu | Ngaa Lhakhang, Bumthang |
26th - 28th June | Nimalung Tshechu | Nimalung Dratshang, Bumthang |
26th - 27th December | Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Nabji Lhakhang, Trongsa |
26th - 28th Feb | Punakha Drubchen | Punakha Dzong |
24th October | Dechenphu Tshechu | Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu |
24th - 30th September | Thangbi Mani | Tangbi Lhakhang, Bumthang |
24th - 26th September | Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Tamshing lhakhang, Bumthang |
24th - 26th September | Thimphu Tshechu | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu |
22nd - 24th September | Wangdue Tshechu | Wangduephodrang |
22nd - 24th October | Chhukha Tshechu | Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha |
22nd - 24th October | Jakar Tshechu | Jakar Dzong, Bumthang |
21st September | Thimphu Drubchen | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu |
20th - 23rd November | Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang |
20th - 23rd November | Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel |
20th - 22nd December | Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa |
20th - 22nd December | Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse |
19th - 22nd November | Mongar Tshechu | Mongar Dzong, Mongar |
15th - 16th August | Mushroom Festival | Genekha, Thimphu. |
14th - 16th April | Rhododendron Festival | Botanical Garden, Dochula, Thimphu |
14th - 15th October | Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Dangochong, Thimphu |
13th Dec | Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Douchula , Thimphu |
11th Nov | Black Necked Crane Festival | Tingtibi, Zhemgang |
8th - 9th July | Haa Summer Festival | Haa |
7th March | Tharpaling Thongdrol | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Bumthang |
5th April & 20th April | Chhorten Kora | Trashiyangtshe |
2nd September | Tour of the Dragon (Bicycle Race) | Bumthang to Thimphu |
2nd - 6th May | Ura Yakchoe | Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang |
1st - 5th April | Paro Tshechu | Rinpung Dzong, Paro |
1st - 3rd March | Punakha Tshechu | Punakha Dzong |