Festivals
Festivals
One of the main attractions of the kingdom is its annual religious festivals, the tsechus celebrated to honor Guru Padmasambhava (more commonly referred to as "Guru Rinpoche"). All of Guru Rinpoche's great deeds are believed to have taken place on the 10th day of the month, which is the meaning of the word tsechu. Tsechus are celebrated for several days and are the occasion for dances that are clearly defined in religious content. The religious dances called "cham" can be grouped into three broad categories: dramas with a moral, dances for purification and protection from harmful spirits and dances that proclaim the victory of Buddhism and the glory of Guru Rinpoche. The dancers, either monks or laymen, wear spectacular costumes of bright silk or brocade, ornate hats and extraordinary masks.
Another highlight of the Tsechus are the Atsaras or clowns who are believed to represent Acharyas, religious masters of India. They confront the monks, toss out salacious jokes, and distract the crowd with their antics whenever the religious dances begin to grow tedious. They are the only people permitted to mock religion in a society where sacred matters are treated with the highest respect.
For the Bhutanese, attendance at religious festivals offers an opportunity to become immersed in the meaning of their religion and to gain much merit. The festivals are also occasions for seeing people, and for being seen, for social exchanges, and for flaunting success.
FESTIVAL DATES TILL - 2018 To 2019(Respectively)
Festival | Place | 2018 Dates | 2019 Dates |
---|---|---|---|
Nomad Festival |
Nagsephel,Bumthang |
23rd–24thFebruary |
23rd–24thFebruary |
Bhutan International Marathon |
Thimphu,Bhutan(Annual event organized by bhutan olympic committee) |
5th March |
5th March |
Punakha Drubchen |
Punakha Dzong, Punakha |
21st- 24thFebruary |
12th- 14thFebruary |
Punakha Tshechu |
Punakha Dzong, Punakha |
25th- 27thFebruary |
15th- 17thFebruary |
Shingkhar Metochodpa |
Shingkhar Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang |
28 th December |
28 th December |
Tharpaling Thongdrol |
Tharpalinglhakhang, chhumi, bumthang |
2nd March |
19th February |
Chhorten Kora |
Chortenkora, Trashiyangtshe |
31st - 16thApril |
21st - 5thApril |
Gomphukora |
Gomkoralhakhang, Trashigang |
25th - 26thMarch |
14th - 16thMarch |
Talo Tshechu |
Talogonpo, punakha |
24th - 26thMarch |
14th - 16thMarch |
Gasa Tshechu |
Gasadzong, Gasa |
4th - 6thMarch |
14th - 16thMarch |
Zhemgang Tshechu |
Zhemgangdzong, zhemgang |
24th - 27thMarch |
14th - 17thMarch |
Paro Tshechu |
Rinpung Dzong, PARO |
27st - 31stMarch |
17th - 21stMarch |
Rhododendron Festival |
Lamperi botanical garden, Dochula, thimphu |
20th -22th April |
19th -21st April |
Domkhar Tshechu |
Domkhar, chummi, bumthang |
25th -27th March |
14th -16th April |
Ura Yakchoe |
Uralhakhang, Bumthang |
26th -29th April |
16th -20th April |
Saktang festival |
Saktangkhakhang, Trashigang |
24th -27th June |
24th -27th June |
Nimalung Tshechu |
Nimalungdratshang, Chummi, bumthang |
21 st -23 rd june |
10 th -11 th July |
Trelda Tshechu |
Drametse, mongar |
24th -26th June |
24th -26th June |
Jambay Lhakhang Drub |
Kurjeylhakhang, choekhor |
24th–27th October |
24th–27th October |
Haa summer Festival |
Town festival ground, haa |
14th-15th July |
13th-14th July |
Merak Tshechu |
Meraklhakhang, Trashigang |
14th -15th August |
14th -15th August |
Masutake Mushroom festival |
Ura, bumthang |
23rd-24th August |
23rd-24th August |
Chha festival |
Tagmochhu,lhuentse |
27th -30th August |
27th -30th August |
Tour of the dragon (bicycle race) |
Bumthang to thimphu |
5th September |
7th September |
Wangdue Tshechu |
Tencholing army ground, Wangduephodrang |
17th–19th September |
5th–7th October |
Thimphu Drubchen |
Tashichhodzong, Thimphu |
15th September |
15th September |
Gangtey Tshechu |
Gangteygonpa, phobjikha, wanduephodrang |
17th–19th September |
3rd October |
Tamshing Phala Chhoepa |
Tamshinglhakhang, Choekhor, bumthang |
19th–21st September |
7th-9th October |
Thimphu Tshechu |
Tashichhodzong, Thimphu |
19th–21st September |
7th-9th October |
Thangbi Mani |
Tangbilhakhang, choekor, Bumthang |
23rd–25th September |
10th-13th October |
Prakhar Duchhoed |
Prakarlhakhang, chummi, Bumthang |
25th–27th October |
14th–16th November |
Jomolhari Mountain Festival |
Dangojang |
7th-8th October |
25th-26th October |
Chhukha Tshechu |
Chhukhadzong, chhukha |
20th-22nd October |
6th-9th November |
Jakar Tshechu |
Jakardzong, choekhor, bumthang |
21st-23rd October |
5th-9th November |
Pemagatshel Tshechu |
Pemagatsheldzong, Pemagatshel |
20th-23rd October |
11th-13th November |
Black Necked Crane Festival |
Gangteygonpa, phobjikha, Wangduephodrang |
11th November |
29th October |
Mongar Tshechu Festival |
Mongardzong, mongar |
17th–21st November |
4th–6th December |
Trashigang Tshechu |
Trashigangdzong, trashigang |
7th-11th November |
5th-7th December |
Nalakhar Tshechu |
Ngaalhakhang, choekhor, bumthang |
25th-27th November |
25th-27th November |
Jambay Lhakhang Drup |
Jambaylhakhang, choekhor, Bumthang |
27th-30th October |
13th-16th November |
Kangso Tshechu |
Drametse, mongar |
23rd-26th November |
23rd-26th November |
Druk Wangyel Tshechu |
Dochula, thimphu |
13th December |
13th December |
Trongsa Tshechu |
Trongsadzong, trongsa |
20th-22nd December |
20th-22nd December |
Lhuentsetshechu |
Lhuentsedzong, Lhuentse |
7th-11th December |
7th-11th December |
Lhuentse Tshechu |
Daganatshechu |
19th-23rd december |
04th-07th January |
NOTE: - Religious festival dates are tentative, please confirm with your tour operator prior Tentative Festival Dates for 2018-2019 to booking your holiday.
Black Necked Cranes Festival:
The Blacked Necked Crane Festival is held anually on 11th November coinciding with the Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck ,at Gangtey, Phobjikha. The festival date has been fixed for 11th November so that the locals and students can participate in it too.
Festival Custom:
Festivals are religious events. The ground where they are held is purified and blessed by lamas, so when you are watching a festival you are, in essence, on the perimeter of an outdoor religious ground. The dancers, whether monks or laymen, are in a state of meditation. They transform themselves into the deities which they represent on the dance ground. They generate a spiritual power, which cleanses, purifies, enlightens and blesses the spectators.
With this in mind, it should be clear that obtrusive, disrespectful or discourteous behavior is out of place. Remember, too, that smoking is not permitted in public places in Bhutan. The dance ground is not a place to eat, drink, talk or laugh loudly at inappropriate times, flash cameras or intrude on the dance space. Common courtesy should rule one's action when photographing dances or onlookers.
Festivals are not pageants or entertainment events. They are not held as tourist attractions. They are genuine manifestations of religious traditions thousands of years old which outsiders are given the privilege of witnessing.
Festivals are held all the year round at temples, dzongs and monasteries throughout Bhutan. Attendance at one of these religious events provides an opportunity for the outsider to experience the extraordinary.