Festivals

What is a tshechu?

Tshechus honour Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the eighth century. They are held on or around the tenth day of a month in the Bhutanese lunar calendar – which is why the dates move every year – and last from a few days to a week. Watching the dances is itself considered a blessing.

The masked dances

The cham dances are performed by monks and laymen in brocade costumes and carved masks, each telling a story: deities subduing demons, the judgement of the dead, the life of Guru Rinpoche. Between dances the atsaras – masked clowns – tease the crowd and keep the mood light.

Masked dancers in a festival courtyard seen from above — Masked dancers fill the courtyard on a festival morning.

The thongdrel

At many festivals a giant thangka, the thongdrel, is unrolled before dawn on the final day and taken down before the sun touches it. Seeing it is believed to cleanse the viewer of wrongdoing.

Festivals to plan around

Punakha Drubchen & Tshechu (February–March) – the Drubchen re-enacts a seventeenth-century victory over Tibetan forces, with Punakha’s militia, the pazaps, in battle dress.
Paro Tshechu (March–April) – one of the largest, ending with a dawn thongdrel.
Thimphu Tshechu (September–October) – the capital’s festival in the courtyard of Tashichho Dzong.
Wangdue Tshechu (September–October) – known for the Raksha Mangcham, the dance of the ox.
Jakar Tshechu (October–November) – in Bumthang, the religious heart of Bhutan.
Black-necked Crane Festival (November) – a celebration of the cranes’ return to Phobjikha.
Haa Summer Festival (July) – nomadic culture, food and sport in the Haa valley.

Dates and etiquette

Festival dates are set by the lunar calendar and published each year; we’ll confirm them for your travel dates. Dress modestly, don’t walk across the dance ground, and ask before photographing people at close range. Flash is never appropriate during the dances.

Coming up

Black-necked Crane Festival

11 November · Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangdue

Celebrating the cranes' return to the Phobjikha valley.

West Plan a journey around it
Goenpai Drupchen

14–16 November · Trongsa Dzong

Central Plan a journey around it
Mongar Tshechu

17–19 November · Mongar Dzong

East Plan a journey around it
Phuentsholing Tshechu

17–19 November · Phuentsholing, Chhukha

West Plan a journey around it