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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 - 2012 |
| 1 |
Punakha Drubchen |
Punakha Dzong; Punakha |
27th Feb - 02nd Mar |
| 2 |
Punakha Tshechu |
Punakha Dzong; Punakha |
3rd - 5th Mar |
| 3 |
Chorten Kora |
Chorten Kora; Trashiyangtse |
08th Mar & 22nd Mar |
| 4 |
Gomphukora |
Gom Kora Lhakhang; Trashigang |
31st Mar - 2nd Apr |
| 5 |
Paro Tshechu |
Rinpung Dzong; Paro |
2nd - 6th Apr |
| 6 |
Chhukha Tshechu |
Chhukha |
04th - 6th Apr |
| 7 |
Ura Tshechu |
Ura Lhakhang; Bumthang |
2nd - 6th May |
| 8 |
Nimalung Tshechu |
Nimalung Dratshang, Chummi, Bumthang |
27th - 29th June |
| 9 |
Kurjey Tshechu |
Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang |
29th June |
| 10 |
Thimphu Drupchen |
Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu |
20th - 24th Sept |
| 11 |
Wangdue Tshechu |
Wangdi Dzong, Wangdue Phodrang |
23rd - 25th Sept |
| 12 |
Thimphu Tshechu |
TaashiChhodzong, Thimphu |
25th - 27th Sept |
| 13 |
Tamshingphala Choepa |
Tamshing Lhakhang,Choekhor, Bumthang |
24th - 26th Sept |
| 14 |
Tangbi Mani |
Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang |
29th Sept - 01st Oct |
| 15 |
Jambay Lakhang Drub |
Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang |
29th Oct - 02nd Nov |
| 16 |
Prakhar Tshechu |
Prakar Lhakhang, Chummi, Bumthang |
30th Oct - 1st Nov |
| 17 |
Mongar Tshechu |
Mongar Dzong, Mongar |
20th - 23rd Nov |
| 18 |
Pemagatsel Tshechu |
Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel |
20th - 23rd Nov |
| 19 |
Trashigang Tshechu |
Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang |
21st - 24th Nov |
| 20 |
Nalakhar Tshechu |
Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang |
28th - 30th Nov |
| 21 |
Trongsa Tshechu |
Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa |
21st - 23rd Dec |
| 22 |
Lhuntse Tshechu |
Lhuntse Dzong, Lhuntse |
21st - 23rd 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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