Bhutan Travel >
Bhutan Tour >
Bhutan Festival Calendar 2012
Posted by

Bhutan Festival Calendar 2012

Masked Dancers making an entrance at a festival

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.

Masked Dancers at Paro Festivals

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
Takin Festival Damji and Gasa Jan 7, 2012 Jan 9, 2012
Nomad Festival To be confirmed Feb 23, 2012 Feb 25, 2012
Punakha Dromche » Punakha Feb 27, 2012 Mar 2, 2012
Punakha Tshechu Punakha Mar 3, 2012 Mar 5, 2012
Chorten Kora Trashiyangtse Mar 8, 2012 & Mar 22, 2012
Gomkora » Trashigang Mar 31, 2012 Apr 2, 2012
Paro Tshechu » Paro Apr 2, 2012 Aor 6, 2012
Chukha Yakchoe Chhukha Mar 17, 2012 Mar 19, 2012
Ura Yakchoe Bumthang May 2, 2012 May 6, 2012
Nimalung Tshechu Travel Plan » Bumthang Jun 27, 2012 Jun 29, 2012
Haa Valley Summer Festival » Haa Valley Jul 7, 2012 Jul 8, 2012
Kurjey Tshechu Bumthang Jun 29, 2012  
Thimphu Drupchen Thimphu Sep 20, 2012 Sep 24, 2012
Wangdi Tshechu Wangdue Sep 23, 2012 Sep 25, 2012
Tamshingphala Choepa Bumthang Sep 24, 2012 Sep 26, 2012
Thimphu Tshechu Thimphu Sep 25, 2012 Sep 27, 2012
Tangbi Mani Bumthang Sep 29, 2012 Oct 1, 2012
Shingkhar Rabney Ura, Bumthang Nov 1, 2012 Nov 5, 2012
Jakar Tshechu Bumthang Nov 3, 2012 Nov 6, 2012
Jambay Lhakhang Drup Bumthang Oct 29, 2012 Nov 2, 2012
Black-Necked Crane Festival Gangtey Nov 11, 2012 Nov 11, 2012
Prakhar Tshechu Travel Plan » Bumthang Oct 30, 2012 Nov 1, 2012
Mongar Tshechu Mongar Nov 20, 2012 Nov 23, 2012
Trashigang Tshechu Trashigang Nov 21, 2012 NOv 24, 2012
Nalakhang Tshechu Bumthang NOv 28, 2012 Nov 30, 2012
Trongsa Tshechu Trongsa Dec 21, 2012 Dec 23, 2012
Lhuntse Tshechu Lhuntse Dec 21, 2012 Dec 23, 2012

Source: ABTO

The Thangkha display at Paro Festivals in early morning light

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.



Dochula Pass