Festivals In Bhutan

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Bhutan Karma Trails

Tour Guide, Thimphu, Bhutan

13 Feb 2016 | 4 mins read

Padmasambhava, the great scholar, visited Tibet and Bhutan in the 8th century and 9th century. He used to convert opponents of Buddhism by performing rites, recitingmantras and finally performing a dance of subjugation to conquer local spirits and gods. He visited Bhutan to aid the dying king Sindhu Raja. Padmasambhava performed a series of such dances in the Bumthang Valley to restore the health of the king. The grateful king helped spread Buddhism in Bhutan. Padmasambhava organized the first tshechu in Bumthang, where the eight manifestations of Padmasambhava were presented through eight forms of dances. These became the Cham dances depicting the glory of Padmasambhava.

The last day of the four-day festival also marks the unfurling of the Thongdrel, a very large scroll painting or thangka, which is unfurled with intense religious fervour, early in the morning. This painting measuring 30 metres (98 ft)×45 metres (148 ft) has the images of Padmasambhava at the centre flanked by his two consorts and also his eight incarnations. Devotees who gather to witness this occasion offer obeisance in front of the Thongdrel seeking blessings. Folk dances are performed on the occasion. Before sunrise, the painting is rolled up and kept in the Dzong before it is displayed again one year later.

Following are the list of Festival Dates for the Year 2016.

1. Nomad Festival - Bumthang (23^rdFebruary)

2. Bhutan International Marathon - (Annual Event Organized By Bhutan Olympic Committee) (5^thMarch)

3. Punakha Drubchen - Punakha Dzong, Punakha (14^th-16^thFebruary)

4. Punakha Tshechu - Punakha Dzong, Punakha (17^th-19^thFebruary)

5. Tharpaling Thongdrol - Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chhumi, Bumthang (22^ndFebruary)

6. Chhorten Kora - Chorten Kora,Trashiyangtshe (22^ndFebruary & 9^thMarch)

7. Gomphu Kora - Gom Kora Lhakhang,Trashigang (17^th-18^thMarch)

8. Talo Tshechu - Talo Gonpo, Punakha (16^th-18^thMarch)

9. Gasa Tshechu - Gasa Dzong,Gasa (14^th-17^thMarch)

10. Zhemgang Tshechu - Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang (16^th-18^thMarch)

11. Paro Tshechu - Rinpung Dzong,Paro (19^th– 23^rdMarch)

12. Rhododendron Festival

13. Lamperi Botanical Garden,Dochula, Thimphu (18^th-20^thApril)

14. Domkhar Tshechu - Domkhar, Chummi, Bumthang (16^th-18^thApril)

15. Ura Yakchoe - Ura Lhakhang,Bumthang (18^th-23^rdApril)

16. Saktang Festival - Saktang Khakhang,Trashigang (12^th-16^thJune)

17. Nimalung Tshechu - Nimalung Dratshang,Chummi, Bumthang (13^th-15^thJune)

18. Trelda Tshechu - Drametse, Mongar (12^th-24^thJune)

19. Kurjey Tshechu - Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor (15^thJune)

20. Haa Summer Festival

21. Town Festival Ground, Haa (5th–6th July)

22. Merak Tshechu - Merak Lhakhang,Trashigang (2^nd-3^rdAugust)

23. Masutake - Mushroom Festival - Ura, Bumthang (22^nd– 23rd August)

24. Chha Festival - Tagmochhu,Lhuentse (15^th-19^thAugust)

25. Tour Of The Dragon - (Bicycle Race) - Bumthang To Thimphu (3^rdSeptember)

26. Wangdue Tshechu - Tencholing Army Ground - Wangduephodrang (9^th– 11^thSeptember)

27. Thimphu Drubchen - Tashi Chhodzong,Thimphu (7^thOctober)

28. Gangtey Tshechu - Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wanduephodrang (9^th-11^thOctober)

29. Tamshing Phala - Chhoepa - Tamshing Lhakhang,Choekhor, Bumthang (11^th-13^thOctober)

30. Thimphu Tshechu - Tashi Chhodzong, - Thimphu (11^th-14^thOctober)

31. Thangbi Mani - Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor - Bumthang (14^th-17^thOctober)

32. Prakhar Duchhoed - Prakar Lhakhang, Chummi - Bumthang (17^th-18^thOctober)

33. Jomolhari Mountain Festival - Dangojang (7^th-8^thOctober)

34. Chhukha Tshechu - Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha (7^th-9^thNovember)

35. Jakar Tshechu - Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang (6^th-10^thNovember)

36. Pemagatshel Tshechu - Pemagatshel Dzong - Pemagatshel (6^th-10^thNovember)

37. Black Necked Crane Festival Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang (11^thNovember)

38. Mongar Tshechu - Mongar Dzong, Mongar (6^th-9^thNovember)

39. Trashigang Tshechu - Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang (7^th-11^thNovember)

40. Nalakhar Tshechu - Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang (14^th-15^thNovember)

41. Jambay Lhakhang Drup, Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang (14^th-17^thNovember)

42. Kangso Tshechu, Drametse, Mongar (11^th-14^thDecember)

43. Druk Wangyel, Tshechu, Dochula, Thimphu (13th December)

44. Trongsa Tshechu - Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa (8th-10th December)

45. Lhuentse Tshechu - Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse (7^th-11^thDecember)

46. Dagana Tshechu, Dagana Dzong, Dagana (19^th-23rd December)