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Festivals in Bhutan
The colourful festival of Bhutan are very rich and the expression of happiness of ancient Buddhist culture. These festival are held every year in all twenty dzongkhags in honour of the Buddhist saint Guru Padmasambhaya ( Guru Rimpochhe) who visited Bhutan in 8th century A.D and spread Buddhism in the country. The festivals which is locally known as Tsechhus are held on the auspicious day and month of the year and last up to three to four days where series of well choreographed mask dances are performed by monks.
The deep faith and devotion of Bhutanese people make these festival a very special occasion. Men and women dress in the finest outfit and most resplendent coral and turquoise jewelry , pack their lunches in their traditional bamboo basket and stay all day at the festival which are generally held in dzongs (fortress) or at the monasteries . It is an occasion of big social gatherings as every Bhutanese try to attend and be part of it. It is belief that watching these mystical mask dances perform by monks after a months of prayers and meditations will help you attend enlightments and for many it is an big annual affair.
Your visit around one
of these festival give you an ample chance to witness lots of colourful
Bhutanese customes , Mask dances and superb photo opportunity but you
have to book and confirm your itinery well in advance as these periods
are busier than the normal period due to influx of tourist .
Paro Tshechhu : This festival falls usually in March or April. It is very difficult to secure hotel and flight bookings as this period is busier than the usual period. You have to book well in advance.
Thimphu Domchhe : This is one of the biggest festival in the capital Thimphu. But again this festival is not popular among big group visitors due to congestion in hotel booking and securing flight tickets due to high volume of tourist. You have to book and confirm your itinery months advance.
Punakha Domchhe : This festival usually falls in the month of February or March and is very unusual due to its dramatic recreation of a 17th century battle scene between Tibetans and Bhutanese armies. The Tibetan army invaded Bhutan to seize Bhutans most precious relic, The Rangjung Kharsapani , a self created image of chenresig. The disappointed Tibetans withdrew after the Zhabdrung pretended to throw the precious relic into the nearby river. On the last day of Domchhe , the Thondrol ( paintings featuring images of the Zabdrung ) is displayed. The most dances and celebration are the manifestation of this event.
The special features of this festival are (i) the Mewang ( fire blessings)where monks lit bonfire in the monastery and pilgrims jump through a burning archway and (ii) The Tercham (Treasure dance ) also known as naked dance normally performed at midnight.
Following table shows the list of important festival or Tshechhus with their corresponding dates. You just choose which festival you would like to add in your trip and we will arrange all the needful and provide you with full detail information. The important festivals are as follows :
TENTATIVE FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2010
Please note that the festival dates often change . Kindly confirm with us the date when booking your seats. |
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The
ground where they are held is purified and consecrated by lamas, so when
you are watching a festival you are, in essence, on the perimeter of an
outdoor religious ground. The conduct of the onlooker should be governed
with this in mind. 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. 
Jampey
Lhakhang Drup : This festival usually falls in the month of October at
Jampey Lhakhang located in the beautiful valley of Bumthang. This
festival is very popular among visitors but to witness this festival you
need Cultural Affairs Permit which we will arrange for you.