“Tshechu” literally translated from Dzongkha means “the 10th date”. Tshechus are grand religious festivals held every year on the tenth date of a month based on the lunar calendar, to celebrate the birth of Guru Rinpoche, a highly revered Indian Saint who spread Vajrayana Buddhism in Bhutan during the 8th century. The month of celebration varies from each Dzongkhag (District) so there are several Tshechus throughout the year in different regions of Bhutan. The most popular Tshechus are in Paro and Thimphu. During Tshechus, all Government offices and private institutions are closed as it is observed as a public holiday in that region. The festivals are usually spread out over a three-day period except for Paro Dzongkhag, which observes a five-day long celebration. According to Legends Guru Rinpoche performed a series of mask dances called Chams, in then Bumthang Dzongkhag to subjugate malevolent spirits who were harming Sindhu Raja, a local ruler who had asked the Saint for his intercession. Guru Rinpoche emerged victorious and the mortal threat to the King’s life was removed. The King ever grateful swore that he would spread Buddhism in the region and so began the centuries old tradition of Tshechus, during which several chams are performed to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche and to bless the attendees of the festival.
These festivals are eagerly awaited by the people of each Dzongkhag as it is believed by attending, one is purified and cleansed of negative karma and bestowed blessings. It also serves as a social event where thousands of people gather dressed in their finest Ghos and Kiras (Traditional Bhutanese attire). A visit to the festival will greet you with a kaleidoscope of colours with bright traditional Bhutanese patterns worn by the festival goers occupying the festival grounds. The festival also attracts various merchants and craftsmen. Traditional handicrafts, textiles, paintings, and religious items are some of the wares will be on sale during this period making it an ideal time to purchase souvenirs to take back home.
During the festival, several Mask Dances or Chams are performed throughout the day. The Chams are performed by monks and laymen to the accompaniment of live music played from ceremonial Buddhist instruments. Wooden masks depicting animals, ferocious protector deities, hideous demons and serene saints are adorned by the performers. Each of the dances are unique and serve a different function. Some dances are performed to purify and sanctify the festival grounds, some to bestow blessings, some dances convey tales of miraculous deeds performed by saints and some even depict the journey of the soul after death in Vajrayana Buddhism. Between the Mask dances, folk songs and folk dances occupy the program to entertain the crowd and provide some rest to the Mask dancers, as some of the dances are quite physical and require considerable stamina and athleticism to perform.
Punakha Tshechu
Punakha Tshechu, as all Tshechu festivals, honors Padmasambhawa, also known as Guru Rimpoche, the precious yogi and saint who is credited with having introduced Tantric Buddhism throughout the Himalayas. The festival’s masked dances are performed by monks clad in colorful brocade attire and permeated by chants and reading of Buddhist scripts. The culmination of festival constitutes the unfolding of a huge cloth thangka, a sacred scroll, depicting Padmasmabhawa and imagery from Buddhist pantheon.
Paro Tshechu
Paro Tshechu is one of the most famous festivals in Bhutan. Throngs of people,travel from around the world and neighboring districts to participate in the festivity. On the last day of the celebration, a gigantic Thangkha (Thongdrel) of Guru Rinpoche will be displayed inside the Dzong. The Thongdrel will be displayed early in the morning and for a few hours only. It is believed that one can cleanse their own sins upon viewing the Thongdrel.
Rhododendron Festival
The festival celebrates the rhododendron flower, which blossoms abundantly in Bhutan. It features the rhododendron garden walk and exhibition, local culture and cuisines, arts and crafts, traditional games, cultural programmes, guided walks and activities. The festival displays different species that are in full bloom in their natural habitat.
Ura Yakchoe
A long time ago, a lama visited an old woman. This Lama seemed very mysterious and all he asked from the old lady was a glass of water. The old lady being kind as she was, she went to fetch water and when she returned the Lama was nowhere to be found. But there was a sack outside her doorsteps. She opened the sack out of curiosity, she found out that there was a statue in the sack. The statue was no ordinary statue, for it was a relic. From that day onwards, the relic has been passed down from one generation to the other and today the same relic is displayed to the public during the festival.
Nimalung Tshechu
Nimalung Tshechu is a 3-days festival, and it is started with the usual chams and dances performed in other dzongkhags but on the final day, people are blessed with the display of Guru Tshengye Thongdrol in the morning. For the final day of the festival, people also get the opportunity to observe Guru Tshengye cham and Drametse Nga Cham performed by the monks of Nimalung Dratshang.
Haa Summer Festival
The Haa Summer Festival is a lively and uplifting celebration of traditional living-culture, nomadic lifestyles, unique Bhutanese cuisine, traditional sports and religious performances. It provides unparalleled insight into the lives and traditions of Bhutan’s nomadic herders. It showcases a lively traditional living culture, nomadic lifestyles, and demonstration of local cuisines, brewing of local ara, traditional sports, religious performances, dances, songs, artifacts and natural alpine flowers. Tourists can also experience the night at one of the many village home stays and enjoy the hospitality of the local people of Haa Valley.
Mushroom Festival
During the festival, the native mushroom and other local products, mushroom hunting, and cultural programmes by the school and local community will be showcased. The objective of the festival is to create awareness on the sustainable harvesting of the local mushroom and enjoy the organic natural flavors of nature.
Tour of the Dragon (Bicycle Race)
Held on the first Saturday of September every year as the monsoons have just ended and the cool, crisp autumn weather is just starting to set in as the heat of summer fades, it is a perfect time to race. An extremely challenging mountain bike race that takes participants through central and western Bhutan, covering 268 kilometers of absolutely stunning Himalayan landscapes.
Tamshing Phala Chhoepa
The festival of Tamzhing Lhakhang is held for three days. People from different parts of Bumthang and also from other parts of Bhutan gather to witness the dances of terton (treasure revealer) Pema Lingpa (Peling Sung Cham), which are performed by the monks of Tamzhing Monastery. The chams (dances) include the Phagchham (pig dance), which is performed on the first night and was composed by the great saint Mewang. The festival is concluded by Pholay Molay cham.
Thimphu Tshechu
One of the biggest festivals in the country is the Thimphu Tshechu. This festival is held in the capital city for three days. The Tshechu is witnessed by thousands of people, both local and tourists. The actual Tshechu is preceded by days and nights of prayer and rituals to invoke the gods. Mask dances like the Guru Tshengye (Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche), Shaw Shachi (Dance of the Stags) and many more are performed.
Jhomolhari Mountain Festival
Jomolhari Mountain Festival is an exquisitely themed two-day event celebrated at the base of Mt. Jomolhari by communities located along one of the most scenic trekking routes in Bhutan. The festival celebrates the culture of the communities living together with the natural wonders that surround them: one in particular is the elusive, yet elegant, snow leopard! This endangered cat thrives in the region; several camera trap photos and definite signs have established the region as one of the best snow leopard habitats in Bhutan.
Jambay Lhakhang Drup
The 7th century Tibetan king Songsten Gampo is said to have built 108 temples in one day and Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang is believed to be one of them. The Jambay Lhakhang Drup is one of the most interesting events held there. During this festival, the chams (dances) include Terchham (Naked Dance), which was formerly initiated by Terton Dorje Lingpa, Mewang, Macham, Ging Tsholing, Dramtse Ngacham, Zhana Cham etc,. The dances are performed by the local villagers of Norgang, Changwa and Nangsiphel. The festival is a five-day programme.
Black Necked Crane Festival
The annual Black-Necked Crane festival is celebrated at the courtyard of Gangtey Goenpa in Phobjikha valley. The festival is an occasion for the locals to rejoice and celebrate the arrival of this endangered and majestic bird which becomes an inseparable part in their daily lives during the winter months. The annual blacknecked crane festival is organized to generate awareness and understanding on the importance of conserving the endangered Black-Necked Cranes. The festival includes cultural programs such as folk songs and dances (some with black-necked crane themes) and mask dances performed by the local people, crane dances and environmental conservation-themed dramas and songs by school children.
Druk Wangyel Tshechu
The Druk Wangyel Tshechu is a unique festival performed by the Royal Bhutan Army rather than monks or lay people. It is a tribute to the wise leadership of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan. It also celebrates the continuous efforts of the Royal Bhutan Army in protecting the sovereignty and the stability of the country. This one of a kind tshechu is performed against the backdrop of the magnificent Jigme Singye Wangchuck mountain range.