| Festival
in Bhutan
Western
Festival
At various times of the year, Bhutanese in towns and villages
congregate to witness the masked dance festivals known as tsechus.
These colorful events draw thousands of locals, some of whom
walk for days in order to attend. While the underlying purpose
is spiritual, dances are more often like plays where good triumphs
over evil or depict significant historical events, especially
surrounding the life of Bhutan's patron saint, Padmasambhava
(also known as guru Rinpoche). There is inevitably a great deal
of socializing. it is an opportunity for people to relax and
forget the daily routine, to dress in their finest clothes and
jewelry but, more importantly, it is an occasion for prayer
and blessings.
Tsechus
mainly comprise of mask dances in addition to some folk
dance entertainment in between. Festivals are not pageants or
entertainment events and definitely not held as tourists attraction.
They are genuine manifestations of religious traditions
thousands of years old, which outsiders are given the privilege
to attend.
| Name
of Festival |
Region |
2000 |
2001 |
| Punakha Domche |
Punakha |
10 - 14 February |
28 Feb-03 March |
| Chorten Kora Tsechu |
Tashi Yangtse |
19 Feb& 06 March |
09 & 24 March |
| Gom Kora Tsechu |
Tashi Yangtse |
13 - 15 March |
1 - 3 April |
| Paro Tsechu |
Paro |
15 - 19 March |
4 - 8 April |
| Ura Yakchoe |
Bumthang |
13- - 18 April |
3 - 7 May |
| Kurjey Tsechu |
Bumthang |
11 June |
30 June |
| Nimalung Tsechu |
Bumthang |
9 - 11 July |
28 - 30 June |
| Thimphu Tsechu |
Thimpu |
6 - 8 October |
27 - 29 September |
| Wangdi Tsechu |
Wangdue |
5 - 7 October |
25 - 27 September |
| Tamshining Phala
Choepa |
Bumthang |
6 - 8 September |
26 - 28 September |
| Thangbi Mani |
Bumthang |
12 - 14 October |
1 - 3 October |
| Jambey Lhakhang
Drup |
Bumthang |
11 - 15 November |
1 - 5 November |
| Jakar Tsechu |
Bumthang |
11 November |
1 November |
| Prakhar Tsechu |
Bumthang |
12 - 15 November |
2 - 5 November |
| Ngalakhang Tsechu |
Bumthang |
21- 23 November |
11-13 November |
| Trashigang Tsechu |
Tashigang |
4 -7 December |
23 - 26 November |
| Mongar Tsechu |
Mongar |
3 - 6 December |
22 - 25 November |
| Trongsa Tsechu |
Trongsa |
4 - 6 December |
24 - 26 December |
| Lhuntshi |
Lhuntshi |
4 - 6 December |
24 - 26 December |
The above dates are subject to change. Please
re-confirm prior to booking your trip.
OTHER SPECIAL HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS (Every Year)
National Day Celebration
17 December
Coronation Day of His Majesty the King
02 June
Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the King
11- 13 November
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