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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 - 2011 |
| 1 |
Punakha Drubchen |
Punakha Dzong; Punakha |
8th to 12th FEB |
| 2 |
Punakha Tshechu |
Punakha Dzong; Punakha |
13th - 15th FEB |
| 3 |
Chorten Kora |
Chorten Kora; Trashiyangtse |
18th FEB - 4thMAR |
| 4 |
Gomphukora |
Gom Kora Lhakhang; Trashigang |
13th to 15th MARCH/ 11th to 13th APRIL |
| 5 |
Paro Tshechu |
Rinpung Dzong; Paro |
25th - 19th MAR |
| 6 |
Chhukha Tshechu |
Chhukha |
17th to 19th MARCH/ 16th to 18th APRIL |
| 7 |
Ura Yakchoe |
Ura Lhakhang; Bumthang |
13th - 17th MAY |
| 8 |
Nimalung Tshechu |
Nimalung Dratshang, Chummi, Bumthang |
8th - 10th July |
| 9 |
Kurjey Tshechu |
Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang |
10th July |
| 10 |
Thimphu Drupchen |
Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu |
1st - 5th OCT |
| 11 |
Wangdi Tshechu |
Wangdi Dzong, Wangdue Phodrang |
5th - 6th OCT |
| 12 |
Thimphu Tshechu |
TaashiChhodzong, Thimphu |
6th - 8th OCT |
| 13 |
Tamshingphala Choepa |
Tamshing Lhakhang,Choekhor, Bumthang |
5th – 7th OCT |
| 14 |
Tangbi Mani |
Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang |
10th - 12th OCT |
| 15 |
Jambay Lakhang Drup |
Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang |
10th -14th NOV |
| 16 |
Prakhar Duchhoed |
Prakar Lhakhang, Chummi, Bumthang |
11th - 13th NOV |
| 17 |
Mongar Tshechu |
Mongar Dzong, Mongar |
13th - 16th NOV |
| 18 |
Pemagatsel Tshechu |
Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel |
1st - 4th Dec |
| 19 |
Trashigang Tshechu |
Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang |
2nd - 5th Dec |
| 20 |
Nalakhar Tshechu |
Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang |
10th - 12th Dec |
| 21 |
Trongsa Tshechu |
Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa |
2nd - 4th Jan, 2012 |
| 22 |
Lhuntse Tshechu |
Lhuntse Dzong, Lhuntse |
2nd - 4th Jan, 2012 |
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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