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 |
Trongsa Tshechu |
Trongsa |
Jan 2, 2012 |
Jan 4, 2012 |
Lhuntse Tshechu |
Lhuntse |
Jan 2, 2012 |
Jan 4, 2012 |
Takin Festival |
Damji and Gasa |
Jun 09, 2012 |
Jun 10, 2012 |
Nabji Lhakhang Drup |
Nabji, Trongsa |
Jan 9, 2012 |
Jan 13, 2012 |
Shingkhar Metochodpa |
Ura, Bumthang |
Jan 9, 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 |
Tharpaling Thongdrol |
Bumthang |
Mar 08, 2012 |
|
Tangsibji Mani (Ura) |
Bumthang |
Mar 08, 2012 |
Mar 11, 2012 |
Bulli Mani (Chumi) |
Bumthang |
Mar 09, 2012 |
Mar 11, 2012 |
Chorten Kora |
Trashiyangtse |
Mar 8, 2012 |
and Mar 22, 2012 |
Gadhen Chodpa (Ura) |
Bumthang |
Mar 20,2012 |
Mar 22, 2012 |
Gomkora » |
Trashigang |
Mar 31, 2012 |
Apr 2, 2012 |
Talo Tshechu |
Punakha |
Mar 31, 2012 |
Apr 2, 2012 |
Zhemgang Tshechu |
Zhemgang |
Mar 31, 2012 |
Aprl 03, 2012 |
Paro Tshechu » |
Paro |
Apr 2, 2012 |
Apr 6, 2012 |
Chukha Yakchoe |
Chhukha |
Apr 04,2012 |
Apr 06, 2012 |
Domkhar Tshechu |
Bumthang |
May 01, 2012 |
May 03, 2012 |
Ura Yakchoe |
Bumthang |
May 2, 2012 |
May 6, 2012 |
Padtshelling Kuchey |
Bumthang |
Jun 08, 2012 |
Jun 10, 2012 |
Nimalung Tshechu Travel Plan » |
Bumthang |
Jun 27, 2012 |
Jun 29, 2012 |
Kurjey Tshechu |
Bumthang |
Jun 29, 2012 |
|
Haa Valley Summer Festival » |
Haa Valley |
Jul 09, 2012 |
Jul 10, 2012 |
Masutaki Mushroom Festival |
Bumthang |
Aug 24, 2012 |
Aug 26, 2012 |
Tour of The Dragon (Bicycling) |
Bumthang & Thimphu |
Sep 1, 2012 |
|
Thimphu Drupchen |
Thimphu |
Sep 20, 2012 |
Sep 24, 2012 |
Wangdi Tshechu |
Wangdue |
Sep 23, 2012 |
Sep 25, 2012 |
Gangtey Tshechu |
Gangtey |
Sep 23, 2012 |
Sep 25, 2012 |
Gasa Tshechu |
Gasa |
Sep 25, 2012 |
Sep 27, 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 |
Shingkar Rabney |
Bumthang |
Oct 20, 2012 |
Oct 24, 2012 |
Jambay Lhakhang Drup |
Bumthang |
Oct 29, 2012 |
Nov 2, 2012 |
Prakhar Tshechu Travel Plan » |
Bumthang |
Oct 30, 2012 |
Nov 1, 2012 |
Shingkhar Rabney |
Ura, Bumthang |
Nov 1, 2012 |
Nov 5, 2012 |
Jakar Tshechu |
Bumthang |
Nov 3, 2012 |
Nov 6, 2012 |
Sumdrang Kangsol |
Bumthang |
Nov 11, 2012 |
Nov 13, 2012 |
Black-Necked Crane Festival |
Gangtey |
Nov 11, 2012 |
Nov 11, 2012 |
Mongar Tshechu |
Mongar |
Nov 20, 2012 |
Nov 23, 2012 |
Pemagatshel Tshechu |
Pemagatshel |
Nov 20, 2012 |
Nov 23, 2012 |
Tang Namkha Rabney |
Bumthang |
Nov 21, 2012 |
Nov 23, 2012 |
Trashigang Tshechu |
Trashigang |
Nov 21, 2012 |
Nov 24, 2012 |
Chojam Rabney |
Bumthang |
Nov 27, 2012 |
Nov 29, 2012 |
Jambay Lakhangsingyecham |
Bumthang |
Nov 28, 2012 |
|
Nalakhang Tshechu |
Bumthang |
Nov 28, 2012 |
Nov 30, 2012 |
Dochula Festival |
Dochula Pass |
Dec 13, 2012 |
Dec 13, 2012 |
Trongsa Tshechu |
Trongsa |
Dec 21, 2012 |
Dec 23, 2012 |
Lhuentse Tshechu |
Lhuentse |
Dec 21, 2012 |
Dec 23, 2012 |
Shingkarmetochodpa |
Trongsa |
Dec 28, 2012 |
|
Nabji Lhakhang Drup |
Trongsa |
Dec 28, 2012 |
Jan 01, 2013 |
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