The Festivals in Bhutan have reputations for being raucous, joyous affairs, but they are holy spiritual events with attendees gaining merit for the next life. Tshechus dedicated to Guru Rimpochhe are celebrated for several days, between three and five according to the location. The highlight are the classical, religious-based dances, and in some Tshechus the viewing of the Thongdreol (Huge and sacred Thanka). In a few important Dzongs, two large festival take place each year, a Dromchheo, which is dedicated to Yeshey Geonpo or Palden Lhamo, the two main protective deities of the Drukpas (Bhutanese people). Bhutanese are known as Drukpas in Bhutan.
The most popular for tourists are the Tshechus held in Thimphu, Punakha, Paro and Bumthang. They mark the busiest time of year for the tourism industry. The Dzongs come to life with color, music, and dancing as valley dwellers and townsfolks dress in their finest clothes and join together to exorcise evil spirits and rejoice in a new harvest. Rare masked sword dances and other rituals are performed in Dzong courtyards and temples. Most of the dances date back from before the Middle Ages and are only performed once or twice each year. Each dance has its own spiritual importance and can be performed by monks or lay village elder dressed in bright costumes. Certain festivals end with the unveiling and worship of huge religious appliques or Thongdreols. The moment of the unveiling is shrouded in secrecy and creates great excitement among all the participants. Tourists are allowed into the Dzongs to watch the festivals, but are not allowed into the inner sanctuaries. Photography should always be discreet. It is generally allowed for photographs to be taken at Tshechus but not at Dromchheos.
Festival Dates 2018
SL# | FESTIVAL | PLACE | Date |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Bumthang | Oct 07 - 09, 2018 |
2 | Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Thimphu | Oct 14 - 15, 2018 |
3 | Shingkhar Rabdhey | Bumthang | Oct 15 - 18, 2018 |
4 | Ugyencholing Kangsel | Bumthang | Oct 17 - 19, 2018 |
5 | Chukha Tshechu | Chukha | Oct 17 - 19, 2018 |
6 | Jakar Tshechu | Bumthang | Oct 17 - 20, 2018 |
7 | Goenkar Tshechu | Lhuentse | Oct 18 - 20, 2018 |
8 | Dechenphu Tshechu | Thimphu | Oct 19, 2018 |
9 | Royal Highland Festival | Gasa | Oct 23 - 24, 2018 |
10 | Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Bumthang | Oct 24 - 26, 2018 |
11 | Prakhar Duchhoe | Bumthang | Oct 24 - 26, 2018 |
12 | Sumthrang Rabney | Bumthang | Nov 03 _ 07, 2018 |
13 | Black Necked Crane Festival | Wangdue Phodrang | Nov 11, 2018 |
14 | Mongar Tshechu | Mongar | Nov 15 - 18, 2018 |
15 | Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang | Nov 17 - 19, 2018 |
16 | Jambay Lhakang Singye Cham | Bumthang | Nov 23, 2018 |
17 | Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel | Nov 23 - 25, 2018 |
18 | Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Thimphu | Dec 13, 2018 |
19 | Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa | Dec 15 - 17, 2018 |
20 | Nabji Lhakhang Drub | Trongsa | Dec 22 - 24, 2018 |
Tentative Festival Dates 2019
SL# | FESTIVAL | PLACE | Date |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Punakha Drubchen | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 11th - 13th Feb |
2 | Punakha Tshechu | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 14th - 17th Feb |
3 | Tharpaling Thongdrol | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Bumthang | 19th Feb |
4 | Gomphukora | Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang | 14th - 16th March |
5 | Talo Tshechu | Talo Gonpa, Punakha | 14th - 16th March |
6 | Gasa Tshechu | Gasa Dzong, Gasa | 14th - 16th March |
7 | Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang | 14th - 17th March |
8 | Paro Tshechu | Rinpung Dzong, Paro | 17th - 21st March |
9 | Chhorten Kora | Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtshe | 21st March & 5th April |
10 | Rhododendron Festival | Lamperi Botanical Garden, Dochula, Thimphu | 19th - 21st April |
11 | Domkhar Tshechu | Domkhar, Chumni, Bumthang | 14th - 16th April |
12 | Ura Yakchoe | Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang | 16th - 20th April |
13 | Nimalung Tshechu | Nimalung Dratshang, Bumthang | 10th - 11th July |
14 | Kurjey Tshechu | Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 11th July |
15 | Haa Summer Festival | Haa | 13th & 14th July |
16 | Mushroom Festival | Genekha, Thimphu. | 15th & 16th Aug |
17 | Masutaki Mushroom Festival | Ura, Bumthang | 23rd & 24th Aug |
18 | Tour of the Dragon (Bicycle Race) | Bumthang to Thimphu | 7th Sept |
19 | Thimphu Drubchen | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 3rd Oct |
20 | Wangdue Tshechu | Tencholing Army Ground, Wangduephodrang. | 5th - 7th Oct |
21 | Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Tamshing lhakhang, Bumthang | 7th - 9th Oct |
22 | Thimphu Tshechu | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 7th - 9th Oct |
23 | Gangtey Tshechu | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha,Wangduephodrang. | 10th - 13th Oct |
24 | Thangbi Mani | Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang | 10th - 13th Oct |
25 | Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Dangochong, Thimphu | 14th & 15th Oct |
26 | Chhukha Tshechu | Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha | 6th - 8th Nov |
27 | Jakar Tshechu | Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang | 5th - 9th Nov |
28 | Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 13th - 16th Nov |
29 | Prakhar Duchhoed | Prakar Khakhang, Chumni, Bumthang | 14th - 16th Nov |
30 | Dechenphu Tshechu | Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu | 8th Nov |
31 | Black Necked Crane Festival | Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang | 11th Nov |
32 | Mongar Tshechu | Mongar Dzong, Mongar | 4th - 6th Dec |
33 | Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang | 5th - 7th Dec |
34 | Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 12th Dec |
35 | Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel | 11th - 13 Nov (Thongdral |
36 | Nalakhar Tshechu | Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 12th - 14th Dec |
37 | Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Douchula, Thimphu | 13th Dec |
38 | Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa | 4th - 7th Jan, 2020 |
39 | Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse | 4th - 7th Jan, 2020 |
40 | Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa | 10th - 12th Jan, 2020 |