Bhutan lives in festivals. These are the times when the
mountains, forests, streams and people bask in the ethereal light of colors
and jubilance. Many tourists come to Bhutan to witness religious festivals
held annually in dzongs throughout the country. These festivals form an
inseparable part of Bhutanese culture. like most notable spectacle of
these festivals, mask-dances in brilliant array of colorful silk costumes.
The dancers reenact legendary events, with monks playing exotic Himalayas
musical instruments.
There are three types of religious dances. Instructi-e dances telling
us moral tales, dances intended to purify a place and protect it from
evil spirits and dances that proclaim the victory of Buddhism and the
glory of Gum Rimpoche. The Tsheehus (festivals) are celebrated for three
to five days in which both monks and laymen take part in the dances. The
highlight of most Bhutanese Tshechus is the brief unfurling of the dzong's
huge applique thangka, representing Guru Rimpoche and his eight manifestations.
Better known as a Thongdrel, the Bhutanese believe that by viewling this
they are delivred from the cycles of reincarnations. At the festivals
the atsaras or clowns weaving expressive masks are a welcome sight. Tshechus
are also a time for the Bhutanese people to socialize with family, friends
and aquaintances. These festivals both in terms of the ways of celebrations
and rituals are well preserved over centuries.
TENTATIVE FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2003
|
WHAT
|
WHERE
|
WHEN
|
| Punakha Dromchey |
Punakha |
8 - 12, Mar |
| Chorten Kora |
Trashiyangtsi |
18 Mar - 1 Apr |
| Gom Kora |
Trashigang |
10 - 12 Apr |
| Chuka Tshechu |
Chuka |
10 - 12 Apr |
| Paro Tshechu |
Paro |
12 - 16 Apr |
| Ura Tsechu |
Bumthang |
11 - 16 May |
| Nimalung Tshechu |
Bumthang |
7 - 9, July |
| Kurjey Tshechu |
Bumthang |
9 July |
| Wangdue Tshechu |
Wangduephodrang |
3 - 5 Oct |
| Tamshing Chodpa |
Bumthang |
4 - 6 Oct |
| Thimphu Dromchey |
Thimphu |
30 Sep - 4 Oct |
| Thimphu Tshechu |
Thimphu |
5 - 7 Oct |
| Thangbi Mani |
Bumthang |
9 - 11 Oct |
| Jambay Lhakhang Drub |
Bumthang |
11 - 12 Nov |
| Prakar Tshechu |
Bumthang |
9 - 12 Nov |
| Ngalhakhang Shey |
Bumthang |
8 - 10 Dec |
| Mongar Tshechu |
Mongar |
30 Nov - 3 Dec |
| Pemagatshel Tshechu |
Pemagatshel |
30 Nov - 3 Dec |
| Trashigang Tshechu |
Trashigang |
1 Dec - 4 Dec |
| Trongsa Tshechu |
Trongsa |
1 Jan - 3 Jan (2004) |
| Lhuntshi Tshechu |
Lhuntshi |
1Jan-3 Jan (2004) |
|
