At various times of the year, Bhutanese poeple in towns and villages congragate to observe the mask dance festivals, know as Tsechus. These colorful evetns 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 in which gord triumphs over evil or depict significant historical events, especially surrounding the life of Bhutan's patron saint, Padmasambhava ( Guru Rinpoche).
There is inevitably a great deal of socializing; it is an opportunity for people to meet, relax and forget the daily routine, todress in their fienst dresses and jewelry but, more importantly, it is an occassion for prayer and blessings.The festivals are one of the manyfascinations that lure the tourists to go to Bhutan. But be warned, these festivals are genuine manifestations of religious traditions and by no means held as tourist attractions. |
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| Sl. # |
Festival |
Place |
Dates - 2009 |
| 1 |
Punakha Dromche |
Punakha |
1ST – 8TH MAR |
| 2 |
Chorten Kora |
Trashiyangtse |
11TH & 26TH MAR |
| 3 |
Gomkora |
Trashigang |
2ND – 4TH APR |
| 4 |
Paro Tshechu |
Paro |
5TH – 9TH APR |
| 5 |
Chhukha Tshechu |
Chhukha |
7TH – 9TH APR |
| 6 |
Ura Yakchoe |
Bumthang |
5TH – 9TH MAY |
| 7 |
Nimalung Tshechu |
Bumthang |
30TH JUN – 2ND JUL |
| 8 |
Kurjey Tshechu |
Bumthang |
2ND JULY |
| 9 |
Thimphu Drupchen |
Thimphu |
23RD – 27TH SEPT |
| 10 |
Wangdi Tshechu |
Wangdi Phodrang |
26TH – 28TH SEPT |
| 11 |
Thimphu Tshechu |
Thimphu |
28TH – 30TH SEPT |
| 12 |
Tamshingphala Choepa |
Bumthang |
27TH – 29TH SEPT |
| 13 |
Tangbi Mani |
Bumthang |
3RD – 5TH OCT |
| 14 |
Jambay Lakhang Drup |
Bumthang |
2ND – 6TH NOV |
| 15 |
Prakhar Duchhoed |
Bumthang |
3RD – 5TH NOV |
| 16 |
Mongar Tshechu |
Mongar |
25TH – 27TH NOV |
| 17 |
Pemagatsel Tshechu |
Pemagatsel |
25TH – 27TH NOV |
| 18 |
Trashigang Tshechu |
Trashigang |
26TH – 28TH NOV |
| 19 |
Nalakhar Tshechu |
Bumthang |
2ND – 4TH DEC |
| 20 |
Trongsa Tshechu |
Trongsa |
25TH – 27TH DEC |
| 21 |
Lhuntse Tshechu |
Lhuntse |
25TH – 27TH DEC |
Please note that all efforts have been made to confirm the festival dates.
Please mail us if you have any queries regarding the dates or need to reconfirm any particular festival.
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