Bhutan Festival Calendar

Religious festivals are important events throughout the Tibetan 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, in addition to 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. Locally referred to as 'Guru Rimpoche' or, simply as 'Guru,' this eighth century master, 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 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 also 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 'thanka' scroll known as a Tongdrol is exhihited for a few hours, at day break of the final day of the festival, enabling the people to obtain its blessing, since such scrolls 'confer liberation by the mere sight of it' (tongdrol in Bhutanese).

 

Of these festivals the Paro Tsechu, in the spring, and the Wangue and Thimpu Tsechus, in the fall, are the most impressive. These festivals are very popular with western tourists. The festivals in Bumthang and East Bhutan attract fewer tourists and those who want to get a more authentic flavor of Bhutan's cultural and religious extravaganza will be well rewarded. These festivals attract many western tourist and hotels and flights are sold out months in advance to organized tourist group. Anyone who wishes to visit Bhutan during these festivals should plan and make their tour arrangements well in advance.

 

Bhutan Festival Calendar 2009 / 2010

 

FESTIVAL	PLACE	2009	2010
Punakha Domchoe	Punakha	03 - 05 Mar	18 - 22 Feb
Punakha Tsechu	Punakha	06 - 08 Mar	23 -25 Feb
Chorten Kora	Tashi Yangtse	11 & 26 Mar	28 Feb -15 Mar
Gom Kora Tshechu	Tashigang	02 - 04 April	23 - 25 Mar
Chhukha Tshechu	Chhukha	07 - 09 April	28 - 30 Mar
Paro Tshechu    Paro Festival Tour	Paro	05 - 09 April	26 - 30 Mar
Ura Tshechu    Ura Festival Tour	Bumthang	05 - 09 May	24 - 28 April
Nimalung Tshechu	Bumthang	30 Jun - 02 Jul	19 - 21 June
Kurjey Tshechu	Bumthang	02 Jul	21 June
Wangdu Tshechu Wangdi Festival Tour	Wangdue	26 - 28 Sept	15 - 17 Sept
Tamshing Phala Choepa Tamshing Phala Festival Tour	Bumthang	27 - 29 Sept	16 - 18 Sept
Thimphu Drupchen	Thimphu	23 - 27 Sep	12 - 16 Sept
Thimphu Tshechu  Thimpu Festival Tour	Thimphu	28 - 30 Sep	17 - 19 Sept
Tangbi Mani Tangbi Festival Tour	Bumthang	03 - 05 Oct	22 - 24 Sept
Jambay Lakhang Drup Jambay Lakhang Festival Tour	Bumthang	02 - 06 Nov	22 - 26 Oct
Prakar Tshechu	Bumthang	03 - 05 Nov	23 - 25 Oct
Ngalakhang Tsehchu	Bumthang	02 - 04 Dec	21 -23 Nov
Mongar Tshechu	Mongar	25 - 27 Nov	13 -16 Nov
Pemagatsel Tshechu	Pemagatsel	25 - 27 Nov	13 - 16 Nov
Tashigang Tshechu	Tashigang	26 - 28 Nov	14 - 17 Nov
Lhuntse Tshechu	Lhuntse	05 - 07 Jan	15 - 17 Dec
Trongsa Tshechu	Tongsa	05 - 07 Jan	15 - 17 Dec

- Festival Dates Published by Bhutan Tourism Bureau. - All festival dates are calculated according to the Tibetan/Buddhist lunar calendar and are subject to  change without notice by the local authorities.