Festivals in Bhutan are the amazing opportunities to witness the cultural, historical and religious aspects of the Dragon Kingdom. Bhutan festivals are most colorful events celebrated with much fun, togetherness and drama. There is at least one festival every month. Tshechu is the 10th day of yearly festivals held in each districts of Bhutan. In fact, Tshechu is celebrated to honor Guru Rinpoche (Padma sambhava) who is responsible for introducing tantric form of Buddhism in Bhutan during the 8th century. It’s believed that attending these Tshechu will bring luck, earn merit and have your wishes come true. And it’s also the occasion to socialize and to be merry. There will be prayers and rituals beforehand to invoke the deities before the Tshechu begins. According to the amount of tourist arrivals to witness these festivals the following happens to be the most popular festivals in Bhutan.
1) Paro Tshechu
Paro Tshechu is the most colorful event held every spring at Paro Rinpung Dzong. The Tshechu is attended by people from neighboring districts and is the major attraction. Interesting highlight of the festival is on the last day during when early in the morning monks display a gigantic thanka (embroidered painting) the Guru Throngdrol. Throngdrols are remarkable examples of Buddhist art. It is considered so sacred that just simply observing a Throngdrol is believed to cleanse the viewer from sins. Please follow the below link to witness Paro Tshechu festival tour.
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2) Thimphu Tshechu
Thimphu Tshechu is one of the biggest festivals of Bhutan celebrated at the capital city ‘Thimphu’. It’s a three days long festival on the 10th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. It is attended by thousands of people with many traveling from the neighboring districts. During the ceremony days and nights of prayer and rituals are done to invoke the gods. A one day festival called Thimphu Dromchoe is also celebrated besides the annual three days Tshechu. The Dromchoe is celebrated 3 days prior to the Thimphu Tshechu. Please follow the below link to witness Thimphu Tshechu festival tour.
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3) Jambay Lhakhang Tshechu
Another most spectacular festival of Bhutan is Jambay Lhakhang Tshechu which is celebrated at Jambay Lhakhang. It lasts for five days with the prime highlight of the festival being the fire ritual held in the evening where everyone gathers to observe the ritualistic naked dance. Jambay Lhakhang is located at Bumthang and is one of the oldest temples of the kingdom founded by Songtsen Gampo, a Tibetan King, during the 7th century AD. Please follow the below link to witness Jambay Lhakhang Tshechu festival tour.
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4) Punakha Tshechu
Bhutan was invaded several times in the 17th century by Tibetan forces but Bhutanese had a victory over the Tibetans and thus to commemorate the triumph a festival known as Punakha Drubchen was celebrated. Since then it has became the annual festival held at the Punakha Dzong. Another festival called Punakha Tshechu is introduced in 2005 in response to the requests by Punakha district administration and the local people for Buddhist teaching preservation. Anyway, both of these festivals play significant roles in preserving Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage. Please follow the below link to witness Punakha Tshechu festival tour.
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5) Wangdue Tshechu
Wangdue Tshechu held annually at Wangduephodrang Dzong was introduced after the completion of the Dzong. It’s a three days event with people attending from Punakha to Thimphu and the festival is basically occasion of merrymaking and revelry. The festival is mainly known for ‘Raksha Mangcham’ or the dance of the ox and it concludes by unfurling of the Guru Tshengye Throngdrol during people gather to receive blessings. Please follow the below link to witness Wangdue Tshechu festival tour.
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