Festivals Calendar 2018 & 2019 Discover the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan with us through this desk calendar highlighting a few festivals of this spectacular country: its breathtaking natural beauty enhanced by rich culture and traditional religious beliefs, colourful and vibrant people and peaceful monasteries. Life is a perpetual celebration of religious festivals (tsechu) all the year round: a panorama of ritualistic mask dances in colourful costumes and traditional finery, pulsating with robust rhythm and revelry. Note- The festival dates are tentative and subject to change.
1 JANUARY SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 B-128, Sector-5, Noida-201301, India +91 120 3300555 info@lpti.in www.lpti.in 02 Nabji Lhakhang Drup JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Nabji Lhakhang Drup Nabji village, Trongsa January 02 04, 2018 / To be advised Nabji Lhakhang Drup festival is a celebration to bring in the New Year in the most unique fashion! Held at a temple at Nabji village in honour of Guru Rinpoche, its high points are the spectacular Mewang and Tercham dances which are performed during this festival, and like all ritual dances, these too have certain religious significance attached to them. The composition of these dances can be traced back and attributed to Terton Pema Lingpa, a treasure explorer of the 15 th century. The Mewang is a sacred ceremonial fire blessing dance wherein locals pass under a huge burning gate made of grass, as they run amidst a shower of burning grass stacks and embers falling on their heads, even as their feet are being scorched by embers under their feet. The sacred Tercham dance (Dance of the Treasure) is performed around a bonfire in the dark on the night, by completely naked performers wearing nothing but masks. This dance is considered to be a blessing for infertile women, who hope to get pregnant by attending the performance.
2 FEBRUARY SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 B-128, Sector-5, Noida-201301, India +91 120 3300555 info@lpti.in www.lpti.in 22 Punakha Drubchen and Punakha Tsechu JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Punakha Drubchen and Punakha Tsechu Punakha Dzong February 22 March 02, 2018 / To be advised Punakha Drubchen is an age-old annual celebration to commemorate the 17 th century triumph of the Bhutanese army led by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal, over persistently invasive Tibetan forces. Spread over 5 days, this significant event in Bhutanese history is dramatised with great pomp and show at a procession led by the head monk or Jekhenpo who throws a few oranges in the river: a re- enactment of the moment when Bhutanese forces had bluffed the Tibetan army into believing that the prized Bhutanese relic (Ranjung Kharsapani) that they had wanted to steal, had been thrown away in the river. During a lively and colourful procession led by monks, the battle scene is recreated by armymen (pazaps) riding on horses in battle gear and through mask dances (Cham). The display of the huge sacred silk scroll painting (Thangka) of their hero Namgyal, brings the festival to a grand close. Punakha Tshechu follows Punakha Drubchen, where people from remote villages come to their Dzong (area) and gather together to honour and uphold the richness of their cultural heritage, tradition and Buddhist teachings of the Rinpoche, through social interaction, prayers and celebrations spread out over 3 days. Fairs and festivals are held where people display and sell their wares, have religious and cultural programs and intermingle amid great revelry.
3 MARCH SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 24 Gom Kora Tsechu 31 Chhukha Tsechu B-128, Sector-5, Noida-201301, India +91 120 3300555 info@lpti.in www.lpti.in 26 27 Dzongdrakha Tsechu Festival Paro Tshechu festival 31 Chorten Kora JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Gom Kora Tsechu Trashigang 24-26 March, 2018/ To be advised Gom Kora Tsechu, also called Gomphu Kora (Gom: meditation; phu: cave; kora: circumambulation), 23 km from Trashigang Zhong in eastern Bhutan, refers to Guru Rinpoche s meditation site, and is celebrated in his honour since the past 400 years. It is believed that Gom Kora Tsechu has been taking place since the 8 th century, when Guru Padmasambhava sanctified this temple. Celebrated shortly before the beginning of the farming season, The Brokpa and Sharchopa communities from eastern Bhutan as well as Drakpas from Arunachal Pradesh come together for this vibrant mating fiesta which involves much song, dance and revelry besides serving as a pilgrimage. After the customary clockwise collective circumambulation around the Lhakhang (temple), young men and women, dressed in all their finery, seek out their special one. The entire dzong (region) springs to life during this festival and besides collective chanting and prayers, hectic socialising and much celebration, there is brisk trade and buying and selling of wares.
Dzongdrakha Tsechu Festival Paro March 26, 2018 / To be advised Dzongdrakha temple complex is perched on a cliffside and situated west of the valley of Paro. A highly popular tsechu (festival) is held here annually, just a day before the well-known Paro Tsechu. This tsechu is considerably significant as the chorten (stupa) of the Buddha is opened to the devotees who throng to the temple for divine blessings of the Buddha relic, which rests here at Dzongdrakha temple. Dzongdrakha temple complex consists of four major shrines dedicated to Goddess Tara (Drolma), Goddess of Longevity (Tsheringma), Guru Rinpoche and the Buddha of the Future (Maitreya). It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, upon arriving in Bhutan from Nepal, first visited Drakparo and Dzongdrakha, before proceeding to Taktsang (Tiger s Nest Monastery).
Paro Tshechu festival Paro March 27 31, 2018 / To be advised The Paro Tsechu Festival is easily one of the biggest, most popular and most well-attended annual events of Bhutan, as religion is deeply entrenched in the rich culture heritage of the Bhutanese people. The 5-day Tsechu (religious festival) is held from 11 th to the 15 th day of the second month (as per the Bhutanese lunar calendar) in the spring season, in honour of the revered Guru Rinpoche, the propagator of tantric Buddhism or Tibetan Buddhism in the Himalayan region. Paro Tsechu is being celebrated with unabated fervour since the 17 th century, when the Paro Dzong was consecrated in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan state, and Ponpo Rigzin Nyingpo, who together began the practice of celebrating the Paro Tsechu. On the first day of this Cham dance festival, the festivities begin in the courtyard of the Dzong. Cham dances are usually vignettes from the life and teachings of Guru Padmasambhava and other religious leaders. Cham is truly a visual treat for the onlookers, with colourful masks, rich silk costumes, forceful movements and pulsating rhythm. On the last day of the festivities a giant Throngdrol (sacred Thangka silk appliqué embroidery painting) of Guru Rinpoche is proudly displayed for onlookers. Throngdrols are fine examples of Buddhist art and said to be soul-cleansing and absolve the viewer of all his sins.
Chhukha Tsechu Chhukha March 31, 2018/ To be advised Celebrated chiefly by the Ngalops and the Lhotshampas (Bhutanese of Nepalese origin), the main ethnic groups of south west Bhutan - a hot and wet sub-tropical forest region flourishing with a variety of flora and fauna - it showcases the Bhutan s rich religious and cultural heritage, seamlessly imbibed with diverse strains within it. The Chhukha Tsechu holds deep religious significance as it was visited by several renowned Buddhist masters like the revered Lama Drakpa Jamtsho (who visited here in the 17 th century), founder of the Jabar Goemba Monastery, which houses the holy relic Phurba (ritual dagger). An interesting legend narrates the amazing gravity-defying properties of the dagger, which is said to have flown to its current spot all the way from Tibet. The 17 th century Tshamdrak Goemba nearby also houses the 100 ceremonial drums, as well as a large stone slab belonging to Ap Chundu (the guardian deity of Haa), both religiously significant relics.
Chorten Kora Tashiyangtse March 31 April 16, 2018/ To be advised Namgang Kora is one of Bhutan s oldest annual religious festival traditions being practised down the ages. Held on the last day of the auspicious first month as per the Bhutanese calendar, it involves circumambulating the Chorten at Trashiyangtse. The Tse-Chenga Kora precedes it by 15 days. The deeply revered chorten, designed along the lines of Nepal s Bodi Chorten, was built by the nephew of 13 th Je Khenpo, His Holiness Yonten Thaye (1771-1775). Chorten Kora, once a sombre religious retreat, is now a bustling area, with an atmosphere that is palpably one of festive fun. An interesting legend about the Chorten s construction narrates the tale of an 8-year-old girl hailing from Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, who offered to be buried in the dome. Thus, the Drakpas from Arunachal Pradesh, especially Tawang, participate enthusiastically in the event which they call Dakpe Kora, while the Bhutanese refer to it as Namgang Kora or Drukpe Kora (which means circumambulation by the Bhutanese).
4 APRIL SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 B-128, Sector-5, Noida-201301, India +91 120 3300555 info@lpti.in www.lpti.in JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
5 MAY SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 B-128, Sector-5, Noida-201301, India +91 120 3300555 info@lpti.in www.lpti.in JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
6 JUNE SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 B-128, Sector-5, Noida-201301, India +91 120 3300555 info@lpti.in www.lpti.in 21 Bumthang Nimalung Tsechu 23 Kurjey Tsechu JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Bumthang Nimalung Tsechu Nimalung June 21, 2018 / To be advised An integral part of Bhutanese culture is music and dance, which finds expression at every occasion. Dance and music play a very important part in the cultural life of Bhutanese people. Each village individually adds to the rich tradition of folk music and dance forms, with an underlying theme of their deeply religious beliefs and tantric Buddhist teachings of their Gurus. Even as much as witnessing the mask dances, is believed to protect them from bad luck, absolve them of all sins and evoke wish fulfilment. Bumthang Nimalung Tsechu is a widely popular annual tsechu spread over 3 days of celebrations at the Nimalung Temple in Chumey village which was built in 1935. A magnificent statue of Guru Rinpoche is installed here, along with priceless old paintings and rich tapestries belonging to him and his disciples. People travel from far off places to attend this tsechu, as Bumthang Monastery is a highly significant cultural and religious centre of Bhutan. Tsechus are occasion to revel and rejoice - everyone dresses up in their finest clothes to gather and pray for peace, prosperity and joy. A huge throngdrol (silk thangka scroll of Guru Rinpoche) measuring 9 m x 12 m is also displayed during this tsechu.
Kurjey Tsechu Bumthang June 21, 2018 / To be advised The Kurjey Tsechu is an occasion for great celebration and rejoicing, as Guru Rinpoche s birthday also falls on the same day. Kurjey Lhakhang is a place of great significance as it played a pivotal role in the rise of Buddhism in Bhutan As per a famous legend, King Sindhu Raja was being heckled by a nasty and harmful evil spirit. Guru Rinpoche overpowered the evil presence in a cave above which the Kurjey Lhakhang was built. Thereafter, Sindhu Raja accepted Guru Rinpoche as his guru and converted himself and the kingdom s subjects to Buddhism. This is how Bhutan came to embrace Buddhism as its religion. It is believed that the cave walls still carry the imprints of Guru Rinpoche (Kurjey literally means body imprints). Various mask dances are performed in honour of Guru Rinpoche this legend and other vignettes from his life and teachings are presented during the festival, apart from other traditional and folk songs and dances.
7 JULY SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 B-128, Sector-5, Noida-201301, India +91 120 3300555 info@lpti.in www.lpti.in JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
8 AUGUST SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 B-128, Sector-5, Noida-201301, India +91 120 3300555 info@lpti.in www.lpti.in JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
9 SEPTEMBER SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 B-128, Sector-5, Noida-201301, India +91 120 3300555 info@lpti.in www.lpti.in 19 Tamshing Phala Choepa JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Tamshing Phala Choepa Bumthang September 19 21, 2018 / To be Advised The 2-day festival of Tamshing Phala Choepa is held at Tamshing monastery in Bumthang. This monastery is headed by the Rinpoche, who is hailed as the 11 th incarnation of Pema Lingpa. Tamshing monastery comes under the Nyingma sect of Buddhism. All tsechus are held in the district Dzong (fortress) or nearby monastery, around the 10th day of the Bhutanese lunar calendar, to honour Guru Rinpoche who was believed to have been born from a lotus flower and brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8 th century. People dress up in their best traditional finery and attend the tsechus with family and close ones. Besides religious prayers and other cultural events, the Tamshing Phala Choepa festival is notable for its mask dances, notable among which are The dance of the stag and the hunter and The dance of three kinds of kings, which leave a powerful impact on the viewers, while washing away all negativity and misfortune and instilling joy and peace in them.
10 OCTOBER SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 B-128, Sector-5, Noida-201301, India +91 120 3300555 info@lpti.in www.lpti.in JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
11 NOVEMBER SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 B-128, Sector-5, Noida-201301, India +91 120 3300555 info@lpti.in www.lpti.in 11 Black Neck Crane Festival JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Black Neck Crane Festival Gangtey Monastery, Phobjikha November 11, 2018 / October 11, 2019 The courtyard of the Gangtey Gonpa in Phobjikha valley comes alive with locals, dressed in colourful costumes and traditional finery, to celebrate the arrival of the majestic Black-necked Crane, an endangered species, which is an integral part of the winter season. This festival also aims to spread awareness about the important linkage between conserving the flora and fauna and protecting the species from extinction, in order to achieve sustainable development and economic growth. People, school children in particular, come together to reaffirm their commitment towards conservation, while lauding its inextricable bond with its traditions, its cultural heritage, and its folk music and dance forms, and wholeheartedly perform songs, dances and conservation themed skits. The festivities begin early and continue for the whole day until dusk.
12 DECEMBER SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 B-128, Sector-5, Noida-201301, India +91 120 3300555 info@lpti.in www.lpti.in 13 15 Dochula Druk Wangyel Tsechu Lhuentse Tsechu Festival 17 National Day JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Dochula Druk Wangyel Tsechu Dochula Pass December 13, 2018/ December 13, 2019 The Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival is celebrated annually and was initiated in 2011 to commemorate the 2003 victory of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and the Armed Forces over Indian insurgent forces who were residing in southern Bhutan. in 2003. Bhutan is famous the world over for its vibrant and colourful tsechus, which uphold its cultural traditions of music and dance while being deeply rooted in its deeply religious beliefs. Just 22 km from Bhutan s capital city of Thimpu, the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang Festival Ground located at the spectacularly beautiful Dochula Pass, comes alive with celebration, song, dance and merriment. Dochula is perhaps one of the most stunning locations in Bhutan, with the breathtaking panoramic view of the Himalayan range spread out before one s eyes.
Lhuentse Tsechu Festival Lhuentse Dzong December 15 17, 2018/ To be advised Lhuentse Tsechu is celebrated in Lhuentse Dzong with great enthusiasm and verve, shortly after the culmination of the paddy harvest season in November. As most of the rice paddies are in the low altitude and the climate is warmer, the harvest takes place around November. As is customary with all tsechus, Lhuentse Tsechu also has much song and dance. Various robust and energetic mask dances are performed with an underlying religious theme. People throng to the dzong dressed in their best clothes and congregate to celebrate the abundance of the rice harvest. The women folk look strikingly beautiful in their colourful traditional Kushuthara (intricately hand woven kira). Lhuentse Dzongkhang which is located in eastern Bhutan is the ancestral home of the Bhutan royals and lies on the border of the Tibetan Region of Autonomous Body. It produces the most intricate and beautiful hand woven textiles of the country. There is a hermitage built by Lam Ngagi Wangchuk dating back to 1552. The Lhuentse Dzong was later built here by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. As with other regions of Bhutan, people celebrate all festivals with great enthusiasm here too, especially the Cha and Ha festival (named after local deities).
National Day Thimpu; Nationwide December 17, 2018 / December 17, 2019 National Day celebrations in Bhutan commemorate the installation of Sir Ugyen Wangchuk, its first Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) or hereditary monarch in 1907 at Punakha Dzong. Sir Ugyen Wangchuk was instrumental in re-unifying the country and was chosen as the hereditary monarch of Bhutan via unanimous vote. He is the pillar and founder of the Royal House of Wangchuk, which has ruled Bhutan since its reunification, and has purposefully led the country towards democracy, sustainable development and economic progress. National Day is celebrated with true patriotic spirit and grandeur throughout the Kingdom, marked by parades by school children, army, air and police defence services personnel and cultural dance troupes perform mask dances and take out colourful tableaux depicting the country s rich and vibrant culture. The Changlimithang open stadium at Thimpu wears a festive look, replete with game stalls and food vendors.