In most valleys, there is an annual festival known as Tshechu, (say chew) organised in honour of Guru Rimpoche who is regarded as the second Buddha in Himalayan Buddhism. During the Tshechu, mask dances are performed by monks as well as laymen and folk dances by the village girls. Tshechu is a religious event and it is considered sacred. It is believed that one gains merit by attending it. Besides the religious aspect, it is a yearly social gathering for the Bhutanese. People cook the best meal, and dress in their best attire to come to the tshechu is the most joyous mood.

The dazzling dress, wrathful mask, amusing gestures, magical music and laughter of the crowd are a rare treat to the western visitors. Duration of festival varies from 3 to 5 days and the date of the festival is based on the Lunar Calendar. On the last day of the tshechu, a large thongdrel (religious figures embroidered on brocade) is unfurled before sunrise from the wall of the dzong. Thongdrel literally means ‘liberation on sight’, and it is believed that simply viewing one of these large relics washes one’s sins away. When the thongdrel is rolled up again to be put back into the safety of dzong, the old people pray to ensure that they will live to see the thongdrol again the following year. Only selective Tsechus have thongdrel.

PDF Festival Tour Downloads

PARO FESTIVAL	London – London 28th March – 12th April 2009 12 nights in Bhutan.
THIMPHU FESTIVAL	London – London 24th September – 6th October 2009 9 nights in Bhutan

You can refer to the festival dates to see if your holiday coincides with any of the festivals.

Bhutan Festival Dates 2009

Bhutan Festival Gallery