| Festivals of Bhutan |
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Festivals of Bhutan |
Festivals are important events throughout the Buddhist world - commemorating the deeds of Buddha, or those of the great masters of the past associated with one Buddhist tradition or another. In Bhutan, besides the standard Buddhist festivals, there are yearly festivals celebrated with great fanfare in each district.
The most renowned of these are the Tsechu (10th day) festivals, commemorating the deeds of Padmasambhava. Known as "Guru Rimpoche" or simply as "Guru". This 8 th century master introduced the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism into Tibet and Bhutan.
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Each 10th day of the lunar calendar is said to commemorate a special event in the life of Padmasambhava; and some of these are dramatized in the context of a religious festival. Most festival lasts from three to five days - one of which, usually, falls on the 10th day of the lunar calendar.
The regional Dzong and remote village communities hold their distinct annual Tsechu festival, providing the local populace with a wonderful occasion to dress up, gather together, and enjoy, in a convivial light-hearted atmosphere. It is an occasion to renew their faith and receive blessings by watching the sacred dances, or receiving empowerment from a lama or Buddhist monk.
The dances, each aspect of which has a symbolic meaning, are performed by trained monks and laymen wearing ornate costumes, and, in some cases, impressive masks. At Paro, Wangdu, Mongar and Tashigang, among other places, a large scroll known as a Tongdrol is exhibited for a few hours, at day break of the final day of the festival, enabling the people to obtain its blessing, since it is believed that such scrolls confer liberation by the mere sight of it.
Of these festivals the Paro Tsechu, in the spring, and the Wangdu and Thimpu Tsechus, in the fall, are the most impressive. These festivals are very popular with both the local people and visitors from abroad. The festivals in Bumthang and Eastern Bhutan attract fewer visitors and for those who are in quest of an authentic flavour of Bhutan 's cultural and religious extravaganza will be well rewarded.
Festivals in general attract many visitors and hotels and flights are sold out months in advance to organized groups. Anyone who wishes to visit Bhutan during these festivals should plan and make their arrangements well in advance. |
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FESTIVAL |
PLACE |
2008 |
2009 |
| PUNAKHA DROMCHE |
PUNAKHA |
Feb11 - 15 |
Mar 1 - 8 |
| CHORTEN KORA |
TRASHIYANGTSE |
Feb 21 - Mar 7 |
Mar 11 - 26 |
| BULLI MANI (CHUMMI) |
BUMTHANG |
Feb 20 - 23 |
Feb 20 - 23 |
| THARPALING THONGDROL |
BUMTHANG |
Feb 21 |
Feb 21 |
| TANGSIBI MANI (URA) |
BUMTHANG |
Feb 21 - 24 |
Feb 21 - 24 |
| GAYDEN CHODPA (URA) |
BUMTHANG |
Mar 5 - 7 |
Mar 5 - 7 |
| GOMKORA |
TRASHIGANG |
Mar14 - 16 |
Apr 2 - 4 |
| PARO TSHECHU |
PARO |
Mar 17- 21 |
Apr 5 - 9 |
| CHHUKHA TSHECHU |
CHHUKHA |
Mar 19- 21 |
Apr 7 - 9 |
| URA YAKCHOE |
BUMTHANG |
Apr 17- 21 |
May 5 - 9 |
| NIMALUNG TSHECHU |
BUMTHANG |
Jun 11 - Jul 13 |
Jun 30 - Jul 2 |
| KURJEY TSHECHU |
BUMTHANG |
Jul 13 |
Jul 2 |
| THIMPHU DRUPCHEN |
THIMPHU |
Oct 4 - 8 |
Sep 23 - 27 |
| WANGDI TSHECHU |
WANDGI PHODRANG |
Oct 7 - 9 |
Sep 26 - 28 |
| THIMPHU TSHECHU |
THIMPHU |
Oct 9 - 11 |
Sep 28 - 30 |
| TAMSHINGPHALA CHOEPA |
BUMTHANG |
Oct 9 - 11 |
Sep 27 - 29 |
| TANGBI MANI |
BUMTHANG |
Oct 13 - 15 |
Oct 3 - 5 |
| SHINGKHAR RABNEY (URA) |
BUMTHANG |
Nov 4 - 8 |
Nov 4 - 8 |
| JAKAR DZONG TSHECHU |
BUMTHANG |
Nov 6 - 9 |
Nov 6 - 9 |
| JAMBAY LAKHANG DRUP |
BUMTHANG |
Nov 13 - 17 |
Nov 2 - 6 |
| PRAKHAR DUCHHOED |
BUMTHANG |
Nov 14 - 16 |
Nov 3 - 5 |
| SUMDRANG KANGSOL (URA) |
BUMTHANG |
Nov 23 - 26 |
Nov 23 - 26 |
| MONGAR TSHECHU |
MONGAR |
Dec 4 - 7 |
Nov 25 - 27 |
| PEMAGATSEL TSHECHU |
PEMAGATSEL |
Dec 4 - 7 |
Nov 25 - 27 |
| TRASHIGANG TSHECHU |
TRASHIGANG |
Dec 5 - 8 |
Nov 26 - 28 |
| NAMKHA RABNEY (TANG) |
BUMTHANG |
Dec 7 - 9 |
Dec 7 - 9 |
| NALAKHAR TSHECHU |
BUMTHANG |
Dec 12 - 14 |
Dec 2 - 4 |
| CHOZAM RABNEY (TANG) |
BUMTHANG |
Dec 12 - 14 |
Dec 12 - 14 |
| TRONGSA TSHECHU |
TRONGSA |
Dec 25 - 27 |
Jan 5 - 7 |
| LHUNTSE TSHECHU |
LHUNTSE |
Dec 25- 27 |
Jan 5 - 7 |
| NABJIL LHAKHANG DRUP (NABJI) |
TRONGSA |
Jan 11 - 15 |
Jan 11 - 15 |
| SHINGKHAR METOCHODPA (URA) |
BUMTHANG |
Jan 11 |
Jan 11 |
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| NB: All festival dates are calculated according to the Tibetan / Buddhist lunar calendar and are subject to change without notice by the local authorities. |
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