Bhutan Festivals 2011
Festivals in the Land of the Thunder Dragon are rich and happy expressions of its ancient Buddhist culture. These festivals are held in all districts in honour of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Tsechus are held on auspicious days and months in the Bhutanese calendar, and last up to four days in which a series of highly stylised masked dance rituals are performed.
Festivals are also a big family and social occasion. People dress up in their finest clothes and most resplendent jewelry of coral and turquoise. They pack picnic lunches in their traditional bamboo baskets and stay all day at the festivals which are usually held in the dzongs (fortresses) or at monasteries.
Behind the scenes, the monks prepare themselves for weeks ahead of the festival, involved in deep prayer and meditation prior to the festival. The monks perform special masked dances that are inspirations of enlightened beings in history; and the Bhutanese believe that watching these mystical dances is essential to gain enlightenment. All Bhutanese try to attend a festival at least once in a lifetime, and for many, it is an important annual affair where they consider it a blessing to be able to watch the dances. Apart from the monks, community dancers also participate in the local festivals.
| Festival | Town | First Day | Last Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punakha Dromche | Punakha | Feb 10, 2011 | Feb 21, 2011 |
| Punakha Tshechu | Punakha | Feb 13, 2011 | Feb 25, 2011 |
| Chorten Kora | Trashiyangtse | Feb 18, 2011 | Mar 4, 2011 |
| Gomkora | Trashigang | Mar 13, 2011 | Mar 15, 2011 |
| Paro Tshechu | Paro | Mar 15, 2011 | Mar 19, 2011 |
| Chukha Yakchoe | Chhukha | Mar 17, 2011 | Mar 19, 2011 |
| Ura Yakchoe | Bumthang | May 14, 2011 | May 17, 2011 |
| Nimalung Tshechu Travel Plan » | Bumthang | Jun 8, 2011 | Jun 10, 2011 |
| Nimalung Tshechu | Bumthang | July 8, 2011 | July 10,2011 |
| Kurjey Tshechu | Bumthang | July 10, 2011 | |
| Thimphu Drubchen | Thimphu | Oct 1, 2011 | Oct 5, 2011 |
| Wangdi Tshechu | Wangdue | Oct 4, 2011 | Oct 6, 2011 |
| Tamshingphala Choepa | Bumthang | Oct 6, 2011 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| Thimphu Drupchen | Thimphu | Oct 1, 2011 | Oct 5, 2011 |
| Thimphu Tshechu | Thimphu | Oct 6, 2011 | Oct 8, 2011 |
| Tangbi Mani | Bumthang | Oct 10, 2011 | Oct 12, 2011 |
| Shingkhar Rabney | Ura, Bumthang | Nov 1, 2011 | Nov 5, 2011 |
| Jakar Tshechu | Bumthang | Nov 3, 2011 | Nov 6, 2011 |
| Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Bumthang | Nov 10, 2011 | Nov 14, 2011 |
| Prakhar Tshechu Travel Plan » | Bumthang | Nov 11, 2011 | Nov 13, 2011 |
| Mongar Tshechu | Mongar | Dec 2, 2011 | Dec 5, 2011 |
| Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang | Dec 2, 2011 | Dec 5, 2011 |
| Nalakhang Tshechu | Bumthang | Dec 10, 2011 | Dec 12, 2011 |
| Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa | Jan 2, 2012 | Jan 4, 2012 |
| Lhuntse Tshechu | Lhuntse | Jan 2, 2012 | Jan 4, 2012 |
| Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Nabji, Trongsa | Jan 9, 2012 | Jan 13, 2012 |
| Shingkhar Metochodpa | Ura, Bumthang | Jan 9, 2012 | Jan 9, 2012 |
Source: ABTO
The tsechus are a rich form of the oral history tradition where the Bhutanese pass on values, mythology and spiritual beliefs through the dance dramas. Many of the tsechus culminate with a rare display of a giant silk applique thangkha (painting) depicting Guru Padmasambava or some other important Buddhist deity.
People's deep faith and devotion make these festivals a special occasion. At the same time, it is also an opportunity to join hundreds, and even thousands, of Bhutanese in taking part in an important religious and social occasion that often exudes a carnival atmosphere.
Source: Tourism Council of Bhutan
