Bhutan Travel Service

CULTURAL TOUR | TREKKING | FESTIVALS | PLACES OF INTEREST

Festival tours:(click below for details)

FESTIVALS

The festive time for every Bhutanese is the Tsechu celebrated at every Dzong (fortress) most of which were built in the 16th Century. The major events are Mask dance known as Cham, which take place for 3-4 days and in honor of Guru Rimpoche. Performed by both monks and laymen, the Bhutanese people would have witnessed 12 episodes by the end of the festival. It is a must for every Bhutanese to see and understand every dance as this gains you merit and brings you luck . It is also a time when people from all over leave all their farm work, dress in their best attires and jewellery and rejoice together.

Most of the dances were introduced by the Shabdrung and Terton Pema Lingpa in the 1600s. Some of the mask and costumes date back to the time the dances were introduced. The dances are done to perfection as the deities enter the performers body and then it is the deities themselves performing for the viewers. Most monasteries also have a festival, a combination of the Tsechu along with the local mask dances .

TENTATIVE FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2012

Sl.no.	Festival name	Place name	From date	To date
1	Punakha drubchhen	Punakha Dzong, Punakha	27^th Feb	02^nd March
2	Punakha Tshechu	Punakha Dzong, Punakha	03^rd March	05^th march
3	Tharpaling Thongdrel	Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chummi, Bumthang	08^th March
4	Tangsibi Mani (Ura)	Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	08^th March	11^th March
5	Bulli Mani (Chummi)	Buli Lhakhang, Chummi, Bumthang	09^th March	11^th March
6	Chhorten Kora	Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtse	08^th March & 22^nd March
7	Gaden Chodpa (Ura)	Gaden Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	20^th March	22^nd March
8	Gomphukora	Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang	31^st March	02^nd April
9	Talo Tshechu	Talo Gonpa, Punakha	31^st March	02^nd April
10	Zhemgang Tshechu	Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang	31^st March	03^rd April
11	Paro Tshechu	Rinpung Dzong, Paro	02^nd April	06^th April
12	Chhukha Tshechu	Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha	04^th	06^th April
13	Domkhar Tshechu	Domkhar, Chummi, Bumthang	01^st May	03^rd May
14	Ura Yakchoe	Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang	02^nd May	06^th May
15	Padsel-Ling Kuchod	Padsel-ling Gonpa, Choekhor, Bumthang	08^th June	10^th June
16	Takin Festival	Tsharijathang, Laya (JDNP) Gasa	09^th June	10^th June
17	Nimalung Tshechu	Nimalung Dratshang, Chummi, Bumthang	27^th June	29^th June
18	Kurjey Tshechu	Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	29th June
19	Haa Summer Festival	Town Festival Ground, Haa	09^th July	10^th July
20	Thimphu Drubchen	Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu	20^th September	24^th September
21	Wangdue Tshechu	Wangdi Dzong, Wangduephodrang	23^rd September	25^th September
22	Gangtey Tshechu	Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha,	23^rd September	25^th September
23	Tamshing Phala Chhoepa	Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	24^th September	26^th September
24	Thimphu Tshechu	Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu	25^th September	27^th September
25	Gasa Tshechu	Gasa Dzong, Gasa	25^th September	27^th September
26	ThangbiI Mani	Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang	29^th September	01^st October
27	Shingkhar Rabney	Ura, Bumthang	20^th October	24^th October
28	Jakar Tshechu	Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang	22^nd October	25^th October
29	Jambay Lhakhang Drup	Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	29^th October	02^nd November
30	Prakhar Duchhoed	Prakar Lhakhang, Chummi, Bumthang	30^th October	1^st November
31	Sumdrang Kangsol	Sumdrang Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang	11^th November	13^th November
32	Crane Festival	Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang	11^th November
33	Mongar Tshechu	Mongar Dzong, Mongar	20^th November	23^rd November
34	Trashigang Tshechu	Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang	21^st November	24^th November
35	Tang Namkha Rabney	Tang Namkha, Lhakhang, Tang, Bumthang	21^st November	23^rd November
36	Jambay Lakhang Singye Cham	Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	28^th November
37	Chojam Rabney	Chojamrab Lhakhang, Tang, Bumthang	27^th November	29^th November
38	Nalakhar Tshechu	Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	28^th November	30^th November
39	Pemagatshel Tshechu	Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel	20^th November	23^rd November
40	Trongsa Tshechu	Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa	21^st December	23rd December
41	Lhuentse Tshechu	Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse	21^st December	23^rd December
42	Shingkhar Metochodpa	Shingkhar Lhakhang,Ura, Bumthang	28^th December
43	Nabji Lhakhang Drup	Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa	28^th Dec. 2011	01^st Jan 2013

TENTATIVE FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2013

Sl.no.	Festival name	Place name	From date	To date
1	Punakha drubchhen	Punakha Dzong, PUNAKHA	15^th February	19^th February
2	Punakha Tshechu	Punakha Dzong, PUNAKHA	20^th February	22^nd February
3	Chhorten Kora	Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chummi, Bumthang	25^th February & 11^th March
4	Gomphukora	Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang	20nd March	22^nd March
5	Paro Tshechu	Rinpung Dzong, Paro	23^rd March	27^th March
6	Chhukha Tshechu	Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha	25^th March	27^th March
7	Ura Yakchoe	Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang	21^st April	25^th April
8	Nimalung Tshechu	Nimalung Dratshang, Chummi, Bumthang	16^th June	18^th June
9	Kurjey Tshechu	Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	18th June
10	Thimphu Drubchen	Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu	09^th September	13^th September
11	Wangdue Tshechu	Wangdi Dzong, Wangduephodrang	12^th September	14^th September
12	Tamshing Phala Chhoepa	Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	13^th September	15^th September
13	Thimphu Tshechu	Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu	14^th September	16^th September
14	ThangbiI Mani	Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang	18^th September	20^th September
15	Jambay Lhakhang Drup	Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	18^th October	222^nd October
16	Prakhar Duchhoed	Prakar Lhakhang, Chummi, Bumthang	19^th October	21^st October
17	Crane Festival	Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang	11th November
18	Mongar Tshechu	Mongar Dzong, Mongar	09^th November	12^th November
19	Pemagatshel Tshechu	Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel	09^th November	12^th November
20	Trashigang Tshechu	Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang	10^th November	13^th November
21	Nalakhar Tshechu	Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang	17^th November	19^th November
22	Trongsa Tshechu	Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa	09^th January 2014	11^th January 2014
23	Lhuentse Tshechu	Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse	09^th January 2014	11^th January 2014

THIS LIST WILL BE UPDATED AGAIN WITH MORE FESTIVAL DATES

Festival dates 2008

Sl.No. Festival Name Place Name From Date To Date

1. Punakha Dromche Punakha 13 Feb, 2008 15 Feb, 2008

2. Chorten Kora Trashiyangtse 21 Feb, 2008 7-Mar, 2008

3. Gomkora Trashigang 14 Mar, 2008 16 Mar, 2008

4. Chhukha Tsechu Chhukha 19 Mar, 2008 21 Mar, 2008

5. Paro Tshechu Paro 17 Mar, 2008 21 Mar, 2008

6. Ura Tshechu Bumthang 16 Apr, 2008 20 Apr, 2008

7. Nimalung Tshechu Bumthang 10 July, 2008 12 July, 2008

8. Kurjey Tshechu Bumthang 12 July, 2008 2008

9. Thimphu Drupchen Thimphu 4 Oct, 2008 8 Oct, 2008

10. Wangdue Tshechu Wangdue Phodrang 7 Oct, 2008 9 Oct, 2008

11. Tamshingphala Choepa Bumthang 9 Oct, 2008 11 Oct, 2008

12. Thimphu Tshechu Thimphu 9 Oct, 2008 11 Oct, 2008

13. Tangbi Mani Bumthang 13 Oct, 2008 15 Oct, 2008

14. Jambay Lhakhang Drupchen Bumthang 12 Nov, 2008 16 Nov, 2008

15. Paker Tshechu Bumthang 13 Nov, 2008 15 Nov, 2008

16. Mongar Tshechu Mongar 4 Dec, 2008 7 Dec, 2008

17. Pemagatshel Tshechu Pemagatshel 4 Dec, 2008 7 Dec, 2008

18. Trashigang Tshechu Trashigang 5 Dec, 2008 8 Dec, 2008

19. Nalakhar Tshechu Bumthang 12 Dec, 2008 14 Dec, 2008

20. Trongsa Tshechu Trongsa 5 Jan, 2009 7 Jan, 2009

21. Lhuntse Tshechu Lhuntse 5 Jan, 2009 7 Jan, 2009

Tentative Festival dates 2009

Sl.No. Festival Name Place Name From Date To Date

1. Punakha Dromche Punakha 1 March, 2009 8 March, 2009

2. Chorten Kora Trashiyangtse 11 March, 2009 26 March, 2009

3. Gomkora Trashigang 2 April, 2009 4 April, 2009

4. Chhukha Tsechu Chhukha 7 April, 2009 9 April, 2009

5. Paro Tshechu Paro 5 April, 2009 9 April, 2009

6. Ura Tshechu Bumthang 5 May, 2009 9 May, 2009

7. Nimalung Tshechu Bumthang 30 June, 2009 2 July, 2009

8. Kurjey Tshechu Bumthang 2 July, 2009 2009

9. Thimphu Drupchen Thimphu 23 Sept., 2009 27 Sept., 2009

10. Wangdue Tshechu Wangdue Phodrang 26 Sept., 2009 28 Sept., 2009

11. Tamshingphala Choepa Bumthang 27 Sept., 2009 29 Sept., 2009

12. Thimphu Tshechu Thimphu 28 Sept., 2009 30 Sept., 2009

13. Tangbi Mani Bumthang 3 Oct, 2009 5 Oct, 2009

14. Jambay Lhakhang Drupchen Bumthang 2 Nov, 2009 6 Nov, 2009

15. Paker Tshechu Bumthang 3 Nov, 2009 5 Nov, 2009

16. Mongar Tshechu Mongar 25 Nov., 2009 27 Nov., 2009

17. Pemagatshel Tshechu Pemagatshel 25 Nov., 2009 27 Nov., 2009

18. Trashigang Tshechu Trashigang 26 Nov., 2009 28 Nov., 2009

19. Nalakhar Tshechu Bumthang 2 Dec, 2009 4 Dec, 2009

20. Trongsa Tshechu Trongsa 25 Dec., 2009 27 Dec., 2009

21. Lhuntse Tshechu Lhuntse 25 Dec., 2009 27 Dec., 2009