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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.

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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.

Druk wangyel Tshechu 1

 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

DATEFESTIVALPLACE
30th April - 2nd MayDomkhar TshechuDomkhar, Chumni, Bumthang
29th - 31st OctoberPrakhar DuchhoedBumthang
29th - 31st MarchGomphukoraGom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang
29th - 31st MarchTalo TshechuTalo Gonpa, Punakha
29th - 31st MarchGasa TshechuGasa Dzong, Gasa
29th - 31st MarchZhemgang TshechuZhemgang Dzong
28th October - 1st NovemberJambay Lhakhang DrupJambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
28th JuneKurjey TshechuBumthang
27th NovemberJambay Lhakhang Singye ChamJambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang
27th - 29th SeptemberGangtey TshechuGangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha
27th - 29th NovemberNalakhar TshechuNgaa Lhakhang, Bumthang
26th - 28th JuneNimalung TshechuNimalung Dratshang, Bumthang
26th - 27th DecemberNabji Lhakhang DrupNabji Lhakhang, Trongsa
26th - 28th FebPunakha DrubchenPunakha Dzong
24th OctoberDechenphu TshechuDechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu
24th - 30th SeptemberThangbi ManiTangbi Lhakhang, Bumthang
24th - 26th SeptemberTamshing Phala ChhoepaTamshing lhakhang, Bumthang
24th - 26th SeptemberThimphu TshechuTashi Chhodzong, Thimphu
22nd - 24th SeptemberWangdue TshechuWangduephodrang
22nd - 24th OctoberChhukha TshechuChhukha Dzong, Chhukha
22nd - 24th OctoberJakar TshechuJakar Dzong, Bumthang
21st SeptemberThimphu DrubchenTashi Chhodzong, Thimphu
20th - 23rd NovemberTrashigang TshechuTrashigang
20th - 23rd NovemberPemagatshel TshechuPemagatshel
20th - 22nd DecemberTrongsa TshechuTrongsa Dzong, Trongsa
20th - 22nd DecemberLhuentse TshechuLhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse
19th - 22nd NovemberMongar TshechuMongar Dzong, Mongar
15th - 16th AugustMushroom FestivalGenekha, Thimphu.
14th - 16th AprilRhododendron FestivalBotanical Garden, Dochula, Thimphu
14th - 15th OctoberJhomolhari Mountain FestivalDangochong, Thimphu
13th DecDruk Wangyel TshechuDouchula , Thimphu
11th NovBlack Necked Crane FestivalTingtibi, Zhemgang
8th - 9th JulyHaa Summer FestivalHaa
7th MarchTharpaling ThongdrolTharpaling Lhakhang, Bumthang
5th April & 20th AprilChhorten KoraTrashiyangtshe
2nd SeptemberTour of the Dragon (Bicycle Race)Bumthang to Thimphu
2nd - 6th MayUra YakchoeUra Lhakhang, Bumthang
1st - 5th AprilParo TshechuRinpung Dzong, Paro
1st - 3rd MarchPunakha TshechuPunakha Dzong