FESTIVALS (TSHECHUS, DROMCHOES), Bhutan

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The Festivals in Bhutan have reputations for being raucous, joyous affairs, but they are holy spiritual events with attendees gaining merit for the next life. Tshechus dedicated to Guru Rinpoche are celebrated for several days, between three and five according to the location. The highlight are the classical , religious-based dances, and in some tshechus the viewing of the thongdrel (a huge and sacred thangka). In a few important dzongs, two large festivals take place each year; a Dromchoe, which is dedicated to Yeshe Gompo or Palden Lhamo, the two main protective dieties of the Drukpas.

The most popular for tourists are the tshechus held in Thimphu, Paro and Bumthang. They mark the busiest time of year for the tourism industry. Airplane tickets and hotel rooms are frequently difficult to come by. The dzongs come to life with color, music, and dancing as valley dwellers and townsfolk dress in their finest clothes and join together to exorcise evil spirits and rejoice in a new harvest. Rare masked sword dances and other rituals are performed in dzong courtyards and temples. Most of the dances date back from before the middle ages and are only performed once or twice each year. Each dance has its own spiritual importance and can be performed by monks or lay village elders dressed in bright costumes. Certain festivals end with the unveiling and worship of huge religious appliqués or throngdrels. The moment of the unveiling is shrouded in secrecy and creates great excitement among all the participants. Tourists are allowed into the dzongs to watch the festivals, but are not allowed into the inner sanctuaries. Photography should always be done in a discreet and respectful manner, befitting the religious occasion. It is generally allowed for photographs to be taken at tshechus but not at dromchoes.

Festival Dates: Please note that all efforts have been made to confirm festival dates with Department of Tourism (DOT). In some areas, especially outside Thimphu and Paro, festival dates can change without notice. Therefore it is advisable to confirm dates for local festivals with the authorities concerned at the District Dzong of the specific Dzongkhag, or through Bhutan Tourism Corporation Limited. The festivals listed below are considered the larger and more well known ones. Small villages throughout Bhutan have their own local festivals that are too numberous to list here. All of the festival dates are based on the Lunar Buddhist Calendar and vary from year to year.

The 2005 Festival Dates have been issued by the Asssociation of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO) and all efforts have been made to confirm the festival dates, though a few remain indicative, and are subject to change without notice. 2005 Festival and National Holiday dates are considered to be accurate and final at this point.

Additionally the 2006 Festival Dates have been issued by the Asssociation of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO) and are considered to be TENTATIVE at this time.

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