Festivals of Bhutan are called ‘Tshechus’ which is celebrated all over Bhutan.Every district has their annual festivals but the most popular ones are the ‘Tshechus’ of Thimphu, Paro, Punakha and Trongsa. The dates for these festivals vary from district to district but theyalways take place on or around the 10th day of a month of the Bhutanese calendar.The festivals are performed in honour ofGuru Rimpoche. It is believed that he used his supernaturalpowers through some dances to subdue all the local divinities and transformed them into protectors. These dances are performed by monks as well as by lay persons. The repertory is practically the same in all the festivals.The dancers take on the aspects of wrathful & compassionate deities, heroes, demons and animals performed with commitment and dedication, it is believed that these dances ensure the well being and happiness of living beings and deliver them from the cycle of re-incarnations.

Bhutanese culture is characterized by religiouscelebrations. Its people love socializing, attending festivals, joking, playing, and doing all the things that helpthem to be in the spirit of celebration. Religion and social life are so intrinsically linked in the culture that some festivalappears to be taking place somewhere in Bhutan throughout the year. Among these festivals, one of the most recognized and attended by the masses is the Tsechu festival ('Tse' means 'date' and 'Chu' means 'ten'; i.e. '10th day'). This festival is celebrated to commemorate the great deeds of the 8th century Tantric Master Guru Padmasambhava.

'Guru Rimpoche' or simply 'Guru' as he is referred to, introduced the Nyingma school of Buddhism into Tibet and Bhutan. 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 of the festivals last from three to five days- of which one day usually falls on the 10th day of the lunar calendar. It is not just the time for people to get together, dress up and enjoy a convivial light hearted atmosphere, but also a time to renew one's faith, receive blessings by watching the sacred dances, or receive 'empowerment' from a lama or Buddhistmonk.

An auspicious event of many of the Tshechus is the unfurling of the Thongdrol fromthe main building overlooking thedance area.This is done before sunrise and mostpeople rush to witness the moment. Thongdrols are large Thangkas or religious pictures that are usually embroidered rather than painted. The word itself means 'liberation on sight.' It is believed that bad karmas are expiated simply by viewing it. Spring is one of the best times to visit Bhutan;it is also at this time that the local inhabitants of Paro celebrate the spring festival, one of the most popular festivals.Monks as well as laymen dressed in brilliant costumes andwearing masks of both wrathful as well as peaceful deities, re-enact the legends and history of Buddhism in the Dragon Kingdom. The festival culminates in the spectacular showing of the four storey high, 350 years oldThangkha (Buddhist religious scroll), - celebrating the deeds of Padmasambava, who is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan.

 

Click her for the Festival Dates for the Year 2012