Festivals in Bhutan

Bhutan has abundant festivals round the year held at various monasteries, temples and dzongs throughout the country. ‘Tshechu’ is a religious festival celebrated on tenth day of a month of the lunar calendar but the exact month of Tshechu varies from place to place and temple to temple. Bhutan Tshechu are popular among tourists and they are the grand events where entire communities gather at the monasteries to witness religious mask dances, receive blessings and socialize. Apart from mask dances, there are also other colorful events like Bhutanese dances and other forms of entertainments. Monks perform mask dances in monasteries whereas in remote villages they are performed jointly by monks and villagers. The most popular Tshechus are Paro Tshechu held at Paro Ringpong Dzong and Thimphu Tshechu at Tashi Chhodzong Dzong in terms of participation and audience. Large number of tourist from round the globe can also be seen on these festivals.

Top festivals in Bhutan are:
– Paro Tshechu Location: Paro Ringpong Dzong, Paro click here
– Thimphu Tshechu Location: Tashi Chhodzong Dzong, Thimphu click here
– Jambay Lhakhang Drup Location: Jambay Lhakhang, Bumthang
– Punakha Drubchen & Tshechu Location: Punakha Dzong, Punakha
– Black Necked Crane Festival Location: Gangtey Monastery, Gangtey, Phobijikha

Festivals in spring:
Paro Tshechu (End of March)
Bhumthang Ura Yakchoe (third week of April)

Festivals in summer:
Haa Summer Festival (end of June or first week of July)

Festivals in autumn:
Thimphu Drubchen (third week of September)
Wangdue Tshechu (third week of September)
Bhumthang Thangbi Mani (End of September to first week of October)
Bhumthang Jambhay Lhakhang Drup (end of October to first week of November)
Bhumthang Prakhar Tshechu (end of October to first week of November)

Festivals in winter:
Trongsa Tshechu (third week of December)
Punakha Domchoe (mid-February )
Punakha Tshechu (third week of December