Bhutan culture's exotic, mysterious, and other-worldly side is fully embodied in its various“Bhutan festivals”. If you are a cultural and photography enthusiast, so be sure to build at least one into your itinerary.
The "Tshechu Festival" is Bhutan's most important religious festival and the most popular among tourists. They are held in honor of Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. The highlight of the festival is mask dance performances (Cham dances), which are performed by monks or laymen wearing elaborate, brightly colored masks. Each dance tells a story, often depicting religious history or moral teachings. On the festival’s last day, a gigantic thongdrol (painted or embroidered religious picture) is unveiled before sunrise. The Bhutanese believe that they attain merit and eliminate sins simply by attending the tsechus and watching the performances of the highly symbolic dances. Tshechu is also a great occasion for family gatherings and social gatherings. People dress in their best clothes, wearing colorful coral and turquoise jewelry, and gather with friends from different places to participate in the ceremony.
Why Choose a Bhutan Festival Tour
For cultural enthusiasts, it offers a chance to witness Bhutan's most significant cultural events and experience Bhutanese life. Visitors get to mingle with locals, observe their traditions, and understand the spiritual significance of the dances and rituals.
For photography enthusiasts, it offers endless opportunities to capture the essence of Bhutanese culture, from the detailed costumes and masks to the expressive faces of the performers and spectators.
How to Plan a Bhutan Festival Tour?
Every region in Bhutan has its own Tshechu Festival, among which the Paro Tshechu, Punakha Tshechu, and Thimphu Tshechu are the most grand and ceremonious. The dates and duration of the Tshechu in each region vary, but they are usually held around the tenth day of the month in the Bhutanese calendar, within the Dzongs, lasting from two to five days.
Travel with Local Travel Agency of Bhutan
Bhutan's festivals are scheduled according to the Bhutanese calendar, resulting in varying dates each year. We design a series of Bhutan Festival Tours ensuring that travelers get to experience these vibrant cultural events without the hassle of navigating the complexities of the Bhutanese lunar calendar.