FESTIVAL TOURS
Bhutan, renowned for its untouched natural beauty and rich heritage, is often called the “Land of Prosperity and Happiness.” The country offers a captivating blend of famous tourist destinations and vibrant festivals that attract global travelers. Some of the well-known Bhutan festival tours include the Thimphu festival tour, Paro festival tour, Jakkar Tshechu Bhutan, and Jambay Lhakhang Drup, among others.
Tshechu, a significant cultural event in Bhutan, is celebrated annually throughout the nation, paying homage to Guru Rinpoche, the revered figure credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. These festivals take place in the courtyards of majestic medieval fortresses. During Tshechu, monks don colorful silk costumes and intricately crafted masks depicting a fearsome pantheon of deities. They perform a series of religious dances, including a theatrical portrayal of the afterlife and the judgment day.
Bhutan hosts six classified Tshechu festivals, including Thimphu Tshechu, Jambay Lhakhang Drup, Wangdue Phodrang Tshechu, Punakha Drubchen, Paro Tshechu, and Haa Tsechu. Among these, Thimphu Tshechu stands out as the most popular, drawing thousands of spectators.
During these festivals, locals dress elaborately and prepare lavish meals. It is believed that the sacred masked dances during Tshechu invoke blessings from the deities for the attendees. These festivals typically span several days, culminating in the unfurling of a massive applique scroll painting of Guru Rinpoche at dawn. It is believed that glimpsing this painting can cleanse one’s bad karma, and it is only displayed to the public during the Tshechu festival.
Festivals Date For 2023
Si No.. | Festival Name | Place | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Punakha Drubchen | Punakha | Feb 24, 2023 | Feb 28, 2023 |
2 | Punakha Tshechu | Punakha | Mar 01, 2023 | Mar 03, 2023 |
3 | Chhorten Kora | Trashi Yangtse | Mar 07, 2023 | Mar 21, 2023 |
4 | Tharpaling Thongdrol | Bumthang | Mar 07, 2023 | |
5 | Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang | Mar 28, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 |
6 | Gomphukora | Trashigang | Mar 29, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 |
7 | Gasa Tshechu | Gasa | Mar 29, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 |
8 | Talo Tshechu | Punakha | Mar 29, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 |
9 | Paro Tshechu | Paro | Apr 02, 2023 | Apr 06, 2023 |
10 | Domkhar Tshechu | Bumthang | Apr 30, 2023 | May 02, 2023 |
11 | Ura Yakchoe | Bumthang | May 02, 2023 | May 06, 2023 |
12 | Nimalung Tshechu | Bumthang | Jun 26, 2023 | Jun 28, 2023 |
13 | Kurjey Tshechu | Bumthang | Jun 28, 2023 | |
14 | Tour of the Dragon (Mountain Bike Race) | Bumthang | Sep 07, 2023 | |
15 | Thimphu Drubchen | Thimphu | Sep 20, 2023 | |
16 | Wangdue Tshechu | Wangdue Phodrang | Sep 22, 2023 | Sep 24, 2023 |
17 | Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Bumthang | Sep 24, 2023 | Sep 26, 2023 |
18 | Thimphu Tshechu | Thimphu | Sep 24, 2023 | Sep 26, 2023 |
19 | Gangtey Tshechu | Wangdue Phodrang | Sep 27, 2023 | Sep 29, 2023 |
20 | Thangbi Mani | Bumthang | Sep 29, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 |
21 | Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Thimphu | Oct 14, 2023 | Oct 15, 2023 |
22 | Jakar Tshechu | Bumthang | Oct 21, 2023 | Oct 25, 2023 |
23 | Chhukha Tshechu | Chukha | Oct 23, 2023 | Oct 24, 2023 |
24 | Royal Highland festival (Laya) | Laya | Oct 23, 2023 | Oct 24, 2023 |
25 | Dechenphu Tshechu | Thimphu | Oct 24, 2023 | |
26 | Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel | Oct 26, 2023 | Oct 28, 2023 |
27 | Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Bumthang | Oct 28, 2023 | Oct 31, 2023 |
28 | Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Bumthang | Oct 28, 2023 | Oct 31, 2023 |
29 | Prakhar Duchhoed | Bumthang | Oct 29, 2023 | Oct 31, 2023 |
30 | Black Necked Crane Festival | Wangdue Phodrang | Nov 11, 2023 | |
31 | Mongar Tshechu | Mongar | Nov 19, 2023 | Nov 22, 2023 |
32 | Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Thimphu | Dec 13, 2023 | |
33 | Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse | Dec 19, 2023 | Dec 23, 2023 |
34 | Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa | Dec 20, 2023 | Dec 23, 2023 |
35 | Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu | Samdrup Jongkhar | Dec 24, 2023 | Dec 26, 2023 |
festivals Date For 2024
Si No.. | Festival Name | Place | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Punakha Drubchen | Punakha | Feb 16, 2024 | Feb 18, 2024 |
2 | Punakha Tshechu | Punakha | Feb 19, 2024 | Feb 21, 2024 |
3 | Tharpaling Thongdrol | Bumthang | Feb 24, 2024 | |
4 | Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang | Mar 16, 2024 | Mar 19, 2024 |
5 | Gasa Tshechu | Gasa | Mar 16, 2024 | Mar 19, 2024 |
6 | Talo Tshechu | Punakha | Mar 17, 2024 | Mar 19, 2024 |
7 | Gomphukora | Trashigang | Mar 17, 2024 | Mar 19, 2024 |
8 | Paro Tshechu | Paro | Mar 21, 2024 | Mar 25, 2024 |
9 | Chhorten Kora | Trashigang | Mar 25, 2024 | Apr 08, 2024 |
10 | Domkhar Tshechu | Bumthang | Apr 16, 2024 | Apr 18, 2024 |
11 | Ura Yakchoe | Bumthang | Apr 20, 2024 | Apr 24, 2024 |
12 | Nimalung Tshechu | Bumthang | Jun 14, 2024 | Jun 16, 2024 |
13 | Kurjey Tshechu | Bumthang | Jun 16, 2024 | |
14 | Tour of the Dragon (Mountain Bike Race) | Bumthang | Sep 02, 2024 | |
15 | Thimphu Drubchen | Thimphu | Sep 08, 2024 | Sep 10, 2024 |
16 | Wangdue Tshechu | Wangdue Phodrang | Sep 11, 2024 | Sep 13, 2024 |
17 | Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Bumthang | Sep 13, 2024 | Sep 15, 2024 |
18 | Thimphu Tshechu | Thimphu | Sep 13, 2024 | Sep 15, 2024 |
19 | Jhomolhari Mountain Festival | Thimphu | Sep 14, 2024 | Sep 15, 2024 |
20 | Gangtey Tshechu | Wangdue Phodrang | Sep 16, 2024 | Sep 18, 2024 |
21 | Thangbi Mani | Bumthang | Sep 17, 2024 | Sep 19, 2024 |
22 | Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Bumthang | Sep 18, 2024 | Sep 21, 2024 |
23 | Jakar Tshechu | Bumthang | Oct 10, 2024 | Oct 13, 2024 |
24 | Dechenphu Tshechu | Thimphu | Oct 12, 2024 | |
25 | Pemagatshel Tshechu | Pemagatshel | Oct 15, 2024 | Oct 17, 2024 |
26 | Prakhar Duchhoed | Bumthang | Oct 17, 2024 | Oct 21, 2024 |
27 | Royal Highland festival (Laya) | Laya | Oct 23, 2024 | Oct 24, 2024 |
28 | Chhukha Tshechu | Chukha | Nov 09, 2024 | Nov 11, 2024 |
29 | Trashigang Tshechu | Trashigang | Nov 10, 2024 | Nov 14, 2024 |
30 | Black Necked Crane Festival | Wangdue Phodrang | Nov 11, 2024 | |
31 | Nalakhar Tshechu | Bumthang | Nov 15, 2024 | Nov 17, 2024 |
32 | Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham | Bumthang | Nov 15, 2024 | |
33 | Mongar Tshechu | Mongar | Nov 19, 2024 | Nov 22, 2024 |
34 | Trongsa Tshechu | Trongsa | Dec 08, 2024 | Dec 10, 2024 |
35 | Lhuentse Tshechu | Lhuentse | Dec 08, 2024 | Dec 12, 2024 |
36 | Druk Wangyel Tshechu | Thimphu | Dec 13, 2024 | |
37 | Nabji Lhakhang Drup | Trongsa | Dec 15, 2024 | Dec 16, 2024 |
38 | Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu | Samdrup Jongkhar | Dec 24, 2024 | Dec 26, 2024 |