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 |
27th Feb |
02nd March |
|
2 |
Punakha Tshechu |
Punakha Dzong, Punakha |
03rd March |
05th march |
|
3 |
Tharpaling Thongdrel |
Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chummi, Bumthang |
08th March |
|
|
4 |
Tangsibi Mani (Ura) |
Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura,
Bumthang |
08th March |
11th March |
|
5 |
Bulli Mani (Chummi) |
Buli Lhakhang, Chummi,
Bumthang |
09th March |
11th March |
|
6 |
Chhorten Kora |
Chorten Kora,
Trashiyangtse |
08th March & 22nd
March |
|
|
7 |
Gaden Chodpa (Ura) |
Gaden Lhakhang, Ura,
Bumthang |
20th March |
22nd March |
|
8 |
Gomphukora |
Gom Kora Lhakhang,
Trashigang |
31st March |
02nd April |
|
9 |
Talo Tshechu |
Talo Gonpa,
Punakha |
31st March |
02nd April |
|
10 |
Zhemgang Tshechu |
Zhemgang Dzong,
Zhemgang |
31st March |
03rd April |
|
11 |
Paro Tshechu |
Rinpung Dzong,
Paro |
02nd April |
06th April |
|
12 |
Chhukha Tshechu |
Chhukha Dzong,
Chhukha |
04th |
06th April |
|
13 |
Domkhar Tshechu |
Domkhar, Chummi,
Bumthang |
01st May |
03rd May |
|
14 |
Ura Yakchoe |
Ura Lhakhang,
Bumthang |
02nd May |
06th May |
|
15 |
Padsel-Ling Kuchod |
Padsel-ling Gonpa, Choekhor,
Bumthang |
08th June |
10th June |
|
16 |
Takin Festival |
Tsharijathang, Laya (JDNP)
Gasa |
09th June |
10th June |
|
17 |
Nimalung Tshechu |
Nimalung Dratshang, Chummi,
Bumthang |
27th June |
29th June |
|
18 |
Kurjey Tshechu |
Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor,
Bumthang |
29th June |
|
|
19 |
Haa Summer Festival |
Town Festival Ground,
Haa |
09th July |
10th July |
|
20 |
Thimphu Drubchen |
Tashi Chhodzong,
Thimphu |
20th September |
24th September |
|
21 |
Wangdue Tshechu |
Wangdi Dzong,
Wangduephodrang |
23rd September |
25th September |
|
22 |
Gangtey Tshechu |
Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, |
23rd September |
25th September |
|
23 |
Tamshing Phala Chhoepa |
Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor,
Bumthang |
24th September |
26th September |
|
24 |
Thimphu Tshechu |
Tashi Chhodzong,
Thimphu |
25th September |
27th September |
|
25 |
Gasa Tshechu |
Gasa Dzong, Gasa
|
25th September |
27th September |
|
26 |
ThangbiI Mani |
Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor,
Bumthang
|
29th September |
01st
October |
|
27 |
Shingkhar Rabney |
Ura,
Bumthang |
20th October |
24th October |
|
28 |
Jakar Tshechu |
Jakar Dzong, Choekhor,
Bumthang |
22nd October |
25th October |
|
29 |
Jambay Lhakhang Drup |
Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor,
Bumthang |
29th October
|
02nd
November |
|
30 |
Prakhar Duchhoed |
Prakar Lhakhang, Chummi,
Bumthang |
30th October
|
1st
November |
|
31 |
Sumdrang Kangsol |
Sumdrang Lhakhang, Ura,
Bumthang |
11th November |
13th November |
|
32 |
Crane Festival |
Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha,
Wangduephodrang |
11th November |
|
|
33 |
Mongar Tshechu |
Mongar Dzong,
Mongar |
20th November |
23rd November |
|
34 |
Trashigang Tshechu |
Trashigang Dzong,
Trashigang |
21st November |
24th November |
|
35 |
Tang Namkha Rabney |
Tang Namkha, Lhakhang,
Tang, Bumthang |
21st November |
23rd November |
|
36 |
Jambay Lakhang Singye Cham |
Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor,
Bumthang |
28th November |
|
|
37 |
Chojam Rabney |
Chojamrab Lhakhang, Tang,
Bumthang |
27th November |
29th November |
|
38 |
Nalakhar Tshechu |
Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor,
Bumthang |
28th November |
30th November |
|
39 |
Pemagatshel
Tshechu |
Pemagatshel Dzong,
Pemagatshel |
20th November |
23rd November |
|
40 |
Trongsa Tshechu |
Trongsa Dzong,
Trongsa |
21st December |
23rd December |
|
41 |
Lhuentse Tshechu |
Lhuentse Dzong,
Lhuentse |
21st December |
23rd December |
|
42 |
Shingkhar Metochodpa |
Shingkhar Lhakhang,Ura,
Bumthang |
28th December |
|
|
43 |
Nabji Lhakhang Drup |
Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji,
Trongsa |
28th Dec. 2011
|
01st Jan
2013 |
TENTATIVE FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2013
|
Sl.no. |
Festival name |
Place name |
From date |
To date |
|
1 |
Punakha drubchhen |
Punakha Dzong, PUNAKHA |
15th February |
19th February |
|
2 |
Punakha Tshechu |
Punakha Dzong, PUNAKHA |
20th February |
22nd February |
|
3 |
Chhorten Kora |
Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chummi, Bumthang |
25th February & 11th
March |
|
|
4 |
Gomphukora |
Gom Kora Lhakhang,
Trashigang |
20nd March |
22nd March |
|
5 |
Paro Tshechu |
Rinpung Dzong,
Paro |
23rd March |
27th March |
|
6 |
Chhukha Tshechu |
Chhukha Dzong,
Chhukha |
25th March |
27th March |
|
7 |
Ura Yakchoe |
Ura Lhakhang,
Bumthang |
21st April |
25th April |
|
8 |
Nimalung Tshechu |
Nimalung Dratshang, Chummi,
Bumthang |
16th June |
18th June |
|
9 |
Kurjey Tshechu |
Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor,
Bumthang |
18th June |
|
|
10 |
Thimphu Drubchen |
Tashi Chhodzong,
Thimphu |
09th September |
13th September |
|
11 |
Wangdue Tshechu |
Wangdi Dzong,
Wangduephodrang |
12th September |
14th September |
|
12 |
Tamshing Phala
Chhoepa |
Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor,
Bumthang |
13th September |
15th September |
|
13 |
Thimphu Tshechu |
Tashi Chhodzong,
Thimphu |
14th September |
16th September |
|
14 |
ThangbiI Mani |
Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor,
Bumthang
|
18th September
|
20th September |
|
15 |
Jambay Lhakhang
Drup |
Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor,
Bumthang |
18th October
|
222nd October |
|
16 |
Prakhar Duchhoed |
Prakar Lhakhang, Chummi,
Bumthang |
19th October |
21st October |
|
17 |
Crane Festival |
Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha,
Wangduephodrang |
11th November |
|
|
18 |
Mongar Tshechu |
Mongar Dzong,
Mongar |
09th November |
12th November |
|
19 |
Pemagatshel
Tshechu |
Pemagatshel Dzong,
Pemagatshel |
09th November |
12th November |
|
20 |
Trashigang
Tshechu |
Trashigang Dzong,
Trashigang |
10th November |
13th November |
|
21 |
Nalakhar Tshechu |
Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor,
Bumthang |
17th November |
19th November |
|
22 |
Trongsa Tshechu |
Trongsa Dzong,
Trongsa |
09th January 2014
|
11th January
2014
|
|
23 |
Lhuentse Tshechu |
Lhuentse Dzong,
Lhuentse |
09th January 2014 |
11th 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 |
|