7/26/2019 Bhutan Festival

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The region of Mongar in eastern Bhutan is famous for its

exquisite wood carvings and is known as the Bastion of the

Zhongarps. The exciting and colourful three day tshechu is held

here annually in ovem!er and is witnessed !y people from as

far as Trashigang and "huentse. The festival offers numerous

mask dances and is one of the most important events the area

has to offer. #oin the cele!rations of the Mongar Tshechu on $#s

Bhutanese %pic group trip where you can also see the

Trashigang Tshechu in ovem!er.

This festival takes place in the courtyard of Trashiganag

&'ong which is perched on a cliff overlooking two rivers.

$ilgrims gather around the edge and monks look out from

!alconies on the first and second floors. The view of the

Trashigang from these !alconies is magnificent. (s the

monks perform their dances their swirling ro!es appear as

spinning tops on the stone paved floor. $ilgrims travel

from as far as the )ndian !order and Brokpas *a semi+

nomadic community, make the -ourney from Merak and

akteng.

MONGAR TSHECHU

GOMPHU KORA TSHECHUTRASHIGANG TSHECHU

PARO TSHECHU

DRUK WANGYEL TSHECHU

The &ruk /angyel Tshechu is a unique festival performed !y

the 0oyal Bhutan (rmy rather than monks or lay people. )t is

a tri!ute to the wise leadership of 1is Ma-esty #igme ingye

/angchuck2 the 3ourth 4ing of Bhutan. )t also cele!rates the

continuous efforts of the 0oyal Bhutan (rmy in protecting the

sovereignty and the sta!ility of the country. This one of a

kind tshechu is performed against the !ackdrop of the

magnificent #igme ingye /angchuck mountain range.

5omphu 4ora is one of the temples where 5uru 0inpoche2 the

great tantric mystic2 meditated. )t is a small temple in front of a

huge !lack rock2 where he is said to have vanquished a local

demon in the shape of a snake. %ach spring2 people from all

over eastern Bhutan descend upon the narrow valley2 dressed in

all their finery2 to partake in the festivities2 worship and to reunite

themselves with their past. Traditionally2 this festival was an

occasion for the people of eastern Bhutan2 to choose their

spouse.

The five day $aro Tsechu is held each spring2 from the

66th to the 67th day of the second month of the

Bhutanese calendar 8 usually late March or (pril 8 at the

$aro &'ong *0inchen $ung &'ong,. This Tsechu is one

of the largest festivals in Bhutan with pilgrims travelling

from neigh!ouring districts to participate in the festivities.

The first day of the festival is usually held in the

courtyard of the &'ong and includes dances such as the

Black 1at &ance or &ance of the "ord of &eath and his

9onsort. :n the final day2 a giant appliqu; thangka or

Thondrol2 is unrolled and displayed !efore dawn.