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BHUTAN FESTIVAL CALENDAR FOR 2021

Festival or "Tshechu" in the local languange is a religious event celebrated every year in various monasteries, temples and fortress across the Kingdom of Bhutn. The dates and duration of the festival vary from one district to another but they are always held on or around the 10th day of the lunar calendar corresponding to the birthday of Guru Padmasambhava, an 8th century Buddhist scholar.

During Tschedus, dances are performed by monks as well as laymen wearing ornate costumes and masks; each aspect of dance has a symbolic meaning. Some of these festivals are observed to purify one's soul and ward off evil spirits. The Thimphu Tshechu, Paro Tshechu and Jambay Lakhang Drup are among the biggest in terms of participation and audience. Most Tshechus also feature the unfurling of a Thongdroel (or thangkha) - an embroidered painting. Thongdroels are especially impressive examples of Buddhist art and are considered so sacred that simply seeing a Thongdroel is said to cleanse the viewer of sin.

Note - The festival dates are tentative and subject to change.

  FESTIVAL PPLACE DATE IN 2021
1 Punakha Drubchen Punakha Dzong, Punakha 19th - 21th February
  Trashiyangtse Tshechu Trashiyangtse Dzong, Trashigyangse 20th - 22nd February
2 Punakha Tshechu Punakha Dzong, Punakha 22nd - 24th February
3 Tharpaling Thongdrol Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang 27th February
4 Zhuri Duechoe Zhuri Lhakhang, Chumig Bumthang 9th - 10th March
5 Gadhen Choedpa Ura Lhakhang, Ura Bumthang 12th - 13th March
6 Kharchu Drubchen Kharchu Lhakhang, Thromdey Bumthang 13th March
7 Gomphukora Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang 21st - 23rd March
8 Talo Tshechu Talo Gonpa, Punakha 21st - 23rd March
9 Gasa Tshechu Gasa Dzong, Gasa 21st - 23rd March
10 Zhemgang Tshechu Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang 21st - 23rd March
11 Paro Tshechu Rinpung Dzong, Paro 24th - 28th March
12 Chhorten Kora Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtshe 27th February & 13th March
13 Rhododendron Festival Lamperi Botanical Garden, Dochula, Thimphu 16th - 18th April
14 Domkhar Tshechu Domkhar, Chumni, Bumthang 22nd - 24th April
15 Ura Yakchoe Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang 24th - 28th April
16 Pedtsheling Kuchoe Pedtsheling Lhakhang, Chokhor Bumthang 30th May - 1st June
17 Nimalung Tendra Nimalung Dratshang, Chumni, Bumthang 18th - 20th June
18 Kurjey Tshechu Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 20th June
19 Haa Summer Festival Haa 10th & 11th July
20 Mushroom Festival Genekha, Thimphu 15th & 16th August
21 Masutaki Mushroom Festival Ura, Bumthang 23rd & 24th August
22 Tour of the Dragon (Bicycle Race) Bumthang to Thimphu 7th September
23 Thimphu Drubchen Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu 12th September
24 Wangdue Tshechu Tencholing Army Ground, Wangduephodrang 14th - 16th September
25 Tamshing Phala Chhoepa Tamshing Ihakhang, Bumthang 16th - 18th September
26 Thimphu Tshechu Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu 16th - 18th September
27 Gangtey Tshechu Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang 18th - 20th September
28 Thangbi Mewang Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang 19th - 21st September
29 Jhomolhari Mountain Festival Dangochong, Thimphu 14th & 15th October
30 Chhukha Tshechu Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha 13th - 15th October
31 Jakar Tshechu Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang 12th - 16th October
32 Ugyencholing Kangsoel Ugyencholing Lhakhang, Tang, Bumthang 13th - 15th October
33 Dechenphu Tshechu Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu 15th October
34 Takar Duechoe Chumig, Bumthang 20th - 23rd October
35 Jambay Lhakhang Drup Jambay Lhakhang, Chokhor, Bumthang 21st - 23th October
36 Prakhar Duchhoed Prakar Lhakhang, Chumni, Bumthang 21st - 23rd October
37 Royal Highland Festival Laya, Gasa 23th - 24th October
38 Sumthrang Kangsoel Ura, Bumthang 2nd - 3rd November
39 Black Necked Crane Festival Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang 11th November
40 Mongar Tshechu Mongar Dzong, Mongar 12th - 14th November
41 Trashigang Tshechu Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang 12th - 14th November
42 Pemagatshel Tshechu Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel 12th - 14th November
43 Tang Namkhar Rabney Tang, Bumthang 14th - 17th November
44 Chojang Rabney Tang, Bumthang 18th - 22nd November
45 Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham Jambay Lhakhang, Chokhor, Bumthang 19th November
46 Nga Lhakhang Zhey Ngaa Lhakhang, Chokhor, Bumthang 19th - 21st November
47 Pangkhar Choedpa Ura Lakhang, Ura, Bumthang 2nd - 5th December
48 Druk Wangyel Tshechu Douchula, Thimphu 13th December
49 Trongsa Tshechu Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa 12th - 14th December
50 Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu Samdrupjongkhar 16th - 18th December
51 Shingyer Meto Choedpa Ura Lhakhag, Ura, Bumthang 19th - 23rd December
53 Nabji Lhakhang Drup Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji,Trongsa 19th - 21st December
(Mewang on 22nd December)

Punakha Tshechu (Feburary 14-17, 2019)
Punakha Dzong, Punakha

In 2005, a festival called Punakha Tshechu was introduced in response to requests for better preservation of Buddhist teachings and to keep alive the noble deeds of Zhabdrung Rimpoche.

This festival not only plays an important role in preserving Bhutan's rich culture traditions but also provides devout Buddhists with an opportunity for prayer and pilgrimage. It reflects the richness of the Bhutanese cultural heritage and is very special in the eyes and hearts of both the Bhutanese people and the tourists.

Gomphu Kora

Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang

Gomphu Kora lies in the heart of the agrarian belt of eastern Bhutan.

In Chokoey (a classical script), Gomphu means "Meditation Cave" and Kora means "Circumambulaion". The name is derived from a cave formed out of a rock-face next to a temple that has been built as a tribute to this scared site. The story of Gomphu Kora goes back to the 8th century AD. Legend has it that an evil spirit called Myongkhapa escaped from Samye in Tibet, where Guru Padmasambhava, the progenitor of the Nyingma strand of Buddhism, was spreading the Dharma in the Himalayas. Myongkhapa concealed himself inside a rock where Gomphu Kora stands today. The Guru followed the evil, meditated for three days inside the rock cave and finally vanquished it.

The Gomphu Kora temple was renovated and enlarged in the 15th and 16th centuries.

"Go around Gomphu Kora today for tomarrow may be too late", so goes a local song that entices envotees to visit Gomphu Kora. The place comes alive, once every year, when people all over eastern Bhutan descend upon the narrow valley, dressed in fineries, to partake in the festivity, to worship and to reunite themselves with their illustrious past.

Paro Tshechu

Rinpung Dzong, Paro

Paro Tshechu is one of the most popular festivals in Bhutan, held annually since the 17th century when Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of the state of Bhutan, and Ponpo Rigzin Nyingpo initiated the festival together with the consecration of Paro Dzong (fortress) in 1644. Featuring dances performed by trained monks as well as laymen in amazing masks and costumes, Paro Tshechu (festival) is one of the best ways to experience Bhutan's ancient living culture. The festival is observed in three specific parts - the pre-festival rituals on the first day, ceremonies are undertaken on the second day inside the Paro Dzong and the main festivities on the festival ground on the remaining three days.

A highlight of Pro Tshechu is the unfurling of the silk Thangkha - so large that it covers the facade of an entire building and is considered one of the most sacred blessings in the whole of Bhutan. The "Thangkha, known in Bhutan as a "thongdroel" is a religious picture scroll, and is only exhibited for a few hours at daybreak on the final day of the festival enabling the people to obtain its blessing. This holy scroll 'confers liberation by the mere sight of it'.

Chhorten Kora

Chorten Kora, Tashiyangtse

The Chorten Kora Festival is one of the most popular events in eastern Bhutan.'Kora' means circumambulation and the main activity of the festival is circumambulating the Chorten Kora. This festival brings out colorful aspects of Bhutanese culture such as mask dances, and the rich textiles and brocades worn by the locals amidst the triumphant atmosphere of the festival itself.

Dakpa Kora is held on the 15th day of the 3rd month corresponding to 28th February and Drukpa Kora (circumbulation by the Bhutanese) is held on the 30th day corresponding to 15th March every year.

The Chorten (Stupa) was built by Lama Ngawang Loday in 1740 at the site, where a demon was subdued. It is believed to be a replica of the Boudnath stupa in Nepal and was consecrated iby the 13th chief Abbot of Bhutan Je Sherub Wangchuk. Today, it is considered one of the most important historical Buddhist structures.

A legend states that a young girl from Tawang, believed to have been a Khando (Dakini) agreed to be buried alive inside the Chorten. For this reason, the ritual known as Dakpa Kora is organized every year, wherein hundreds of people from Arunachal Pradesh known as the Dakpas visit Chorten Kora to circumambulate.

Ura Yakchoe

Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang

Ura is a strikingly beautiful village in central Bhutan. As per local legnds, the Ura community once prayed to Guru Padmasambhava to save them from an outbreak of leprosy. The Guru responded by magically sending a charmed statue of the Buddhist deity Vajrapani. Finally, when the statue reached Gadan, a nine-headed snake rose out of the place that is now known as 'the nine-headed snake' (puguyungdhogo) and slithered out of the valley. Leprosy, the disease spread by the serpents, was eventually overcome by the blessing of Vajrapani, the subjugator of teh subterranean world.

The Yakchoe is a commemoration of this important event and an offering in gratuitude. It formally begains on the 12th of the third Bhutanese month with a procession from Gadan to Ura. The Vajrapanic relic and the Gadan Lam are received by Ura's priests in a long procession through scenic landscapes and past chortens and mani walls.

Having arrived in Ura, the gomchens perform their dance tests and a religious ceremony dedicated to Vajrapani, which begins with the ritual of exorcism. This religious ritual continues for several days in early mornings and late evenings, while several masked, religious dances alternated by folk dances occupy most of the daytime. This festival ends on the fifth day.

Wangdue Tshechu

Tencholing Army Ground, Wangduephodran

The annual Wangduephodrang Tshechu was introduced by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal after the completion of the dzong (fort cum monastery). The three-day annual Tshechu is attended by people from Punakha and Thimphu and provides the people with an occasion for merrymaking and revelry. The Tshechu is known for the Raksha Mangcham or the Dance of the Ox. It concludes wiht the unfurling of the Guru Tshengy Thongdrol where people throng to receive blessings.

Note: Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag Dzong was burnt to the ground on the 24th of June 2012. Plans are well underway to re-built it. While the Tshechu will be held, please confirm the location with our travel specialist. After the fire, the Tshechu was held at the nearby Tencholing Army ground in Wangduephodrang.

Thimphu Tshechu

Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu

Thimphu Tshechu, held in Bhutan's capital city, was initiated by the 4th Temporal Ruler of Bhutan, Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, in 1867. The festival underwent a change in the 1950s, when the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, introduced numerous Boed Chhams (mask dances performed by monks). The addition also added colour without compromising the spiritual significance.

Thimphu festival begins on the 9th day and ends on the 12th day of the eighth Bhutanese month. Generally, the four-day Tshechu program consists of 24 folk songs and 25 sacred dances. Usually the program for each day begins by 09:00 am.

Since the year of its establishment in 1687, Thimphu Tshechu was performed inside Trashichhoedzong courtyard until 2007. However, because of the steady increase in attendees, the inner courtyard became too congested to properly perform the rites. Therefore, to accommodate a growing number of viewers, a new Tshechu stadium was constructed and named Tendrel Thang, meaning 'Auspicious Ground'.

Thangbi Mani

Bumthang

The Thangbi Mani festival is held at Thangbi Lhakhang, which was founded in 1470 by Shamar Rinpoche of the Kagyupa religious school.

Located at an elevation of 1730m, the historically significant Thangbi Temple is one of the temples managed by lay monks called Gomchens who are responsible for all rituals. The festival is organized jointly by the people of the three villages of Bumthang, Thangbi, Goling. The Gomchens of the monastery exhibit vibrant rituals, and young boys and girls wear masks of demons and animals to showcase hyphotizing masked dances and other paraphernalia, believed to have hidden powers to bless onlookers with unending fortune. Also, it is local belief that those who manage to jump over the migical flame here three times, will be protected from every impending misfortune for at least one year.

Thangbi Mani festival starts on 14th and concludes on the 16th day of 8th Bhutanese month.

Jambay Lhakang Drup

Bumthang

Jambay Lhakhang is one of the oldest temples in the kingdom, founded by Songtsen Gampo, a Tibetan King in the 7th century AD. The king was destined to built 108 temples known as Thadhul-Yangdhul (temples on and across the border) in a day to subdue a demoness. This temple is one of them.

One of the most spectacular festivals in the country, called Jambay Lhakhang Drup is hosted here with a dual purpose and agenda. Firstly, it is a tribute to Guru Rinpoche, a saint who introduced Tantric form of Buddhism in the country and secondly, this festival commemorate the establishment of Jambay Lhakhang (temple) in the 8th century.

During the festival, a variety of traditional and mask dances are performed. Each dance has a significant meaning. However, the highlight of Jambay Lhakhang Drup remains the fire ceremony named 'Mewang' and the religious dance known as 'Tercham'.

Apart from these, the other activities include a famous drum beat dance, a clown dance called Dola Pangtoy Shazam, Raksha Mangcham (a dance symbolizing life after death) and many more. With the proceedings of the events, this festival captures the attention of the onlookers and creates a magnificent spectacle.

Black-Necked Crane Festival

Gangtey Monastery, Phobjikha

The annual Black-necked cranes festival is held at Phobjikha on 11th November. The festival was initiated by RSPN (Royal Society for Protection of Nature) since 1998 in an effort to promote commnity based-sustainable tourism in teh valley and to raise awareness among visitors and the local community on the importance of crane conservation. It is also an occasion for local people to socialize, rejoice and celebrate the arrival of cranes in their valley,

The crane festival is now organized by the local community group and it entails lot of logistic arrangements and co-ordination and usually involves several people, including children. The festival generally comprises a variety of cultural performances like traditional dances and dramas related to cranes and mask dances. The crane dance performed by the children during the festival is the most amusing and entertaining part of the show.

Mongar Tshechu

Mongar Dzong, Mongar

Mongar district, previously known as Zhongar, is one of the six districts that make up eastern Bhutan, bordering Bumthang, Lhuntse, Pemagatshel and Trashigang districts. The region's landscape is spectacular with stark cliffs, gorges and dense conifer forests, while the area is notably famous for its textiles, fabrics and wood carvings.

The 3-day long Mongar Tshechu is the most exciting annual festival, besides several local festivals. Celebrated inside the Dzong, draws people from as far as Trashigang, Trashiyangtse and Lhuentse. The festival includes numerous mask dances and is one of the most important events in the area.

Trashigang Tshechu

Trashigang

The annual 3-day distinctive Trashigang Tshechu is one of the biggest festivals in eastern Bhutan and is held at Trashigang Dzong, during the 7th to the 11th day of the 10th month in the Bhutanese calendar. The Tshechu is attended by teh Brokpas, a semi-nomadic tribe in the valleys of the Merak and Sakteng. Also, the Khengpa community and people from as far as Samdrup Jongkhar, Pema Gatshel and Trashiyangtse come to the festival.

Preparation for the Tshechu begin two days prior to the actual festival. On the 7th day of the month, the monks perform ceremonial ablutions. On the 8th day, they have rehearsals in preparation for teh Tshechu. Then on the 9th day, the Tshechu formally begins. On the 10th day, the Thongdroel (large tapestry) of Neten Chudrug (Sixteen Arhats) is unfurled amidst a flurry of mask dances. On the final day, the old Thongdroel of Guru Tshengyed (eight magnifiestation of Guru Rinpoche) is displayed. The unfurling is accommpanied by the performance of Guru Tshengyed Chhams.

Nalakhar Tshechu

Choekhor, Bumthang

Ngang Ihakhang, sometimes also spelt as Nalakhar, is a private temple built in the 15th century by a Tibetan lama called Namkha Samdrup.

It's a two-storeyed struction, The lower temple has beautiful statues of Guru Rinpoche as padmakara with his two consorts. The upper temple is a gongkhang dedicated to protective deities and houses the masks for the festival.

The community holds a festival from the evening of the 15th day to the 17th day of the 10th Bhutanese month. The family members from the two main lineages of Samdang Dung (said to be descendants of the 8th Tibetan King Trisong Detsen) who had settled there, and the Ngang Lhakhang Choeje, heirs of Lama Namkha Samdrup, play a central role.

People from all over the village and from various parts in Bhutan visit the festival annually in order to celebrate and to pray for better harvest, prosperity and happiness of the villages and the whole country of Bhutan. The spectators dress in their finest National Bhutanese Dress and also relish the special Bhutanese packed lunch named Shaakam Paa (Dried Meat) with Rice and Ema Datshi (Chilli curry made with lot of cheese).

Trongsa Tshechu

Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa

Of the many festivals held in various parts of Trongsa, the grandest is the 3-day annual Tshechu, held at the northern courtyard of Trongsa Dzong. This festival brings together people from all walks of life and falls sometime in the month of December. In addition to traditional mask dances, visitors can witness the unfurling of the sacred Thongdroel. It is believed that merely seeing a Thongdroel grants immense spiritual merit to the onlooker. One also gets the chance to receive blessings from high-ranking monks. Furthermore, people get blessings from the sacred Nangtens on the last day of teh Tshechu.

 

 

Please feel free to contact our Travel Specialist for a tailor-made any memorial tour itinerary to Bhutan and attend one of the traditional festival..

 

 

Tel: +852-9039 9428
  +852-9727 3917
E-mai: info@exotic-holidays.hk

 


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