Today is: 2010-08-01.

Links of importance
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kuenselonline.com
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drukair.com
drukair flight schedule
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bbs.com
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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 .

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

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