Bhutan Culture, Tradition, And Festivals

In almost every Dzong (monastic fortress) and monastery there is an annual traditional festival (in Bhutan these are called tshechus). Tshechus usually take place on or around the 10th day of the month according to the lunar calendar. The normal duration for a tshechu is three days. Tourists are welcomed to tshechus under the provision that they act in an accordingly respectful manner. Due to the nature of the lunar calendar exact dates for tshechus vary from year to year.

Tsechus

The Buddhist festivals or Tsechus are one of the prime examples of the living culture of Bhutan that many have come to admire and to treasure. The Tsechu is a festival in honour of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan and the Himalayan world.
These Tsechus are held in almost every district attracting hundreds of Bhutanese people in a spirit of festivity, celebration and deep faith. The Tsechus have spiritual connotations, and Buddhist practitioners perceive a symbolic communion between dancers and spectators. Those attuned to the faith can feel the spiritual powers evoked by the dancers dressed in elaborate, often ancient, costumes, masks and headgear. Apart from monk dancers, community folk dancers and singers also perform during the Tsechus. The Bhutanese people consider it a blessing to be able to watch the dances.
Tsechus are held on auspicious days, on the tenth day of the Bhutanese month, and last up to four days in which a series of highly stylised masked dance rituals are performed. The dances are well known and loved by the Bhutanese who come dressed in their best for the very special social occasion for all Bhutanese families.

Throngdoel

Some of these festivals unfurl a giant thangkha known as a throngdel that is usually a silk appliqué and embroidery of a Buddhist saint. The word throngdel means “liberation on sight” and people form long queues to receive blessings by touching their heads against the bottom of the thangkha.

Religious song (Chhoeshay)

This commemorates the opening of the gateway to the pilgrimage site of Tsari in eastern Tibet by the founder of the Drukpa School of Buddhism, Tsangpa Jarey.

Regional Tsechus

Tsechus take place throughout the country in every district at different times of the year. The smaller Tsechus are often more interesting as visitors get a close and better perspective of a local festival.
The Department of Tourism maintains a list of Tsechus, locations and dates for the year.

 Folk Festivals

Apart from the main Tsechus in every district, folk festivals exist on a smaller community scale that provides a fascinating insight into local beliefs. Some of these festivals are inspired by the pre-Buddhist tradition – the Bon practice.
Ache Lhamo Dances, Bumthang:  This folk festival takes place on the eighth day of the seventh month of the Bhutanese calendar. The girls in Ura village trek up to the mountain to make their offerings and dance all day. In the evening, they return to the Ura temple, bringing flower offerings. More dances are performed called the Ache Lhamo dances, specific only to Ura in Bumthang.
Hungla dances, Trashi Yangtse: This ancient festival is celebrated on the 28^th of the sixth Bhutanese month among the communities of Bhainakha, Kenmong, Changmadung and Tokaphu in Trashi Yangtse district. Villagers from two rival teams use home made tinder to have firefights at night. The next day, Buddhist scriptures are carried around the villages to bring blessings to people. Religions ceremonies continue on the 30^th of the month.
Bon festival, Ha: A pre-Buddhist practice, the Bon festival is celebrated among the communities of Zongma, Gorsumeth and Ungar in Ha district. The festival takes place on the 10^th day of the sixth Bhutanese month.
Bon festival, Trashi Yangtse: Another Bon festival takes place annually on the 15^th-18^th day of the ninth Bhutanese month. Villagers in the communities of Changmadung, Pang and Memung, share a communal meal and perform a Bon dance together.

Royal Heritage Trail

The Royal Heritage Trek is yet another tourism product developed to commemorate the past 100 years of the Monarchy’s royal heritage and historic travel route between the Bumthang and Trongsa Dzongkhags. Except for a few herders and the locals around, the trail has not been used for so many years as Bhutan moved into the modern era and so many roads were built throughout the country. It has now been rediscovered as a potential trekking route offering an invigorating adventure with every section of the trail contributing its own attractions.
The trail boasts of a blend of valued history, traditional mores and royal anecdotes which date back to as early as the 1950s. The trek traces the historical route King Jigme Wangchuck, the 2^nd King of Bhutan, used when moving from his summer residence, Wangdicholing Palace in Bumthang, to his winter residence, Kuenga Rabten Palace in Trongsa. It was the first King who shifted the government seat from the old winter capitals in Punakha and Thimphu to Wangdicholing palace in Bumthang. In 1928, after the death of the first King, his successor built a new palace in Kuenga Rabten. With its warmer, more temperate climate the valley provided a welcome relief from the harsh winters of Bumthang. The Royal Family and its entourage moved in a majestic procession with hundreds of followers and riding horses trekking over the mountains. The journey took just three days then.
The second King died at his palace of Kuenga Rabten in 1952, after which his son King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk took over. The third King shifted the centre of government back to the old summer capital in Thimphu. The Royal Heritage Trail presents the visitors a look at the history of monarchy with an opportunity to explore it first hand after the royal family treaded the same route more than 50 years ago.
In addition to the rich and the unambiguous historical experience it offers, the trail has an abundance of flora and fauna. Over 40 species of birds have been identified including the Yellow and Black Billed Magpies and the Spotted Nut Cracker. Along the trail, you’ll also enjoy the splendor of violet primula and other beautiful wild flowers.
The trail is a 4-day moderate hiking, which starts from Wangdicholing, Bumthang and ends in Kuenga Rabten, Trongsa or vice versa.