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Religious festivals, tsechus and dromchoes, are an intrinsic part of Bhutanese cultural life and are observed throughout the year across the kingdom. The most popular are Paro festival which falls in March or April, Ura festival in April or May and Thimphu festival (September or October). Blue Poppy actively encourages you to include a festival within your itinerary, as it is likely to be one of the highlights of your trip. Have a look at the list of festival dates for 2008. If you are planning ahead you can check the tentative festival dates for 2009. If the idea of a festival captures your imagination let us know and we can help you plan your trip around it. If you are interested in joining a group tour have a look at our itinerary for Thimphu festival in October 2008. |
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| For an account of a visit to a local festival, by kind permission of the author read Solange Hando's article "Tangbi Mani", which first appeared in the Druk Air magazine "Tashi Delek" - text and photos copyright Solange Hando, all rights reserved | ||
Dedicated to Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) and other protective deities (such as Yeshe Gompo or Palden Lhamo), religious festivals symbolise friendship, peace, reverence and compassion. The Tsechu festivals showcase the kingdom’s best religious dances dating from the Middle Ages, performed only once or twice a year by monks and laymen. They usually culminate in the unfurling of an especially large, fine thongdrel – a giant appliquéd thangkha (religious painting on cloth), hung from a wall of the dzong’s courtyard to bless the spectators. People from all walks of life assemble in their finery to watch masked dances and rituals, to socialise and to rejoice. While the underlying purpose of the festival is spiritual, dances are more often like plays, telling stories where good triumphs over evil, or depicting significant historical events, especially surrounding the life of the Guru Rinpoche. The occasion provides an opportunity for people to relax and forget the daily routine, and to dress in their finest clothes and jewellery, but it is also an occasion for prayer and blessings. |
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