OCTOBER
1.
JOMOLHARI MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL
Jomolhari Mountain Festival is an exquisitely themed 2
day event celebrated at the base of Mt Jomolhari, by communities located along
one of the most scenic trekking routes in Bhutan. The festival celebrates the
culture of the communities living together with the natural wonders that
surround them: one in particular, the elusive, yet elegant, snow leopard! This
endangered cat thrives in the region; several camera trap photos and definite
signs have established the region as one of the best snow leopard habitats in Bhutan.
2.
SHINGKHAR RABNEY
The Shingkhar Rbney is held at the historic temple,
Shingkar Dechenling Lhakhang , in Ura Valley in Bumthang.The festival takes
place from the 6th to the 11th dau of the 9th
Bhutanese month. Several mask dances are performed during the festival. The
highlight of the festival is the role of an old man, locally called Chath
Dorji, who wears a brown wrinkled mask and blesses women with a wooden phallus.
3.
SUMTHRANG KANGSOEL
This annual festival is held at the 13th
century monastery of Sumthrang Lhakhang in Ura Valley in Bumthang. This
festival was initiated by the founder of the monastery, Nyoton Trulzhig Chojey,
a great yogi and one of the sons of Nyo Gyelwa Lhanangpa.” Kangsoel “loosely
translates to offering and appeasing deities that guard tradition and Buddhist
teachings. The Sumthrang Taacham (horse dance) is one of main dances performed
during the festival.
4.
JAKAR TSHECHU
The 3 day festival showcases several sacred mask dances.
The festival also hosts different types of folk songs and dances. People visit
the festival dressed in their finest clothes and the festival is also popular
among tourists.
5.
CHHUKHA TSHECHU
Different mask dances are performed during the festival
apart from the traditional folk songs and dances. The highlight of the festival
is the unfurling of the thongdrol (large tapestry) of Guru Rinpoche.
6.
DECHENPHU TSHECHU
This tshechu is dedicated to Gay Ngyen Jakpa Melen, a
powerful guardian deity of Bhutan. Some of the sacred dances performed during
the festival include the Zhananga Cham, Genyen Kunchaam, Shazam Cham and Nga
Cham. Many traditional and classical dances are also performed.
7.
PEMAGATSHELL TSHECHU
People from all over the district come to the district
Dzong where the festival is held and all public offices remain closed for 3
days when the festival is in process. Different kinds of mask dances are
performed together with many traditional and classical dances.
8.
THANGBI MANI
Thangbi Mani festival is one of the most popular
festivals held in Chhoekhor Gewog in Bumthang. The highlight of the festival is
the fire blessing ( Mewang) ceremony, performed in an open ground. The lay
monks perform purification rituals while people jump over flames to purify
themselves. Several masks dances are also performed. It is believed that the
festival would bring peace and prosperity and ensure better harvest for the
entire community.
9.
JAMBAY LHAKHANG DRUB
The festival is held at the January Lhakhang in
Bumthang, which was built in the 7th century and is one of the
oldest temples in the country. Masked dances and bonfires commemorate the
establishment of this 7th century Lhakhang. The highlight of the
festival is the fire ritual that is held by midnight where crowds gather to
witness the ritual. A naked dance is also performed where the dancers only have
their mask on.
10.
PRAKHAR DUCHHOED
The annual festival is held at the Prakar Lhakhang in
Chummi gewog in Bumthang. Several kinds of mask dances are performed during the
festival. The festival is celebrated to honor Lama Thukse Dawa, one of the sons
of the 15th century Buddhist master, Terton Pema Lingpa, who was one
of the greatest Buddhist masters to be ever born in the Bhutan.
NOVEMBER
1.
KHALING TSHECHU
The annual Khaling Tshechu is the biggest festival in
Khaling gewog . The festival is held at the courtyard of the Khaling Goenpa
located atop a hill overlooking the whole of Khaling valley. The 3 day festival
host many sacred mask dances and people come dressed in the best attires in all
pomp and show.
2.
DREMETSE TSHECHU
The Dremetse Tshechu is one of the most important
festivals in eastern Bhutan. It was here that the popular Dremetse Ngacham (Dance
of the Drums from Dremetse) was born. The mask dance was selected as one of the
80 global masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005
by UNESCO. It is a highly revered dance and performed in tshechus all over the
country. The dance is dramatization of the dance performed in Zangtopelri, the
Copper Coloured Palace of Guru Rinpoche.
3.
BLACK NECKED CRANE FESTIVAL
The annual Black – Necked Crane festival is celebrated
at the courtyard of Gangtey Goenpa in Phobjikha valley. The festival is an
occasion for the locals to rejoice and celebrate the arrival of this endangered
and majestic bird which becomes an inseparable part in their daily lives during
the winter months. The annual black necked crane festival is organized to
generate awareness and understanding on the importance of conserving the
endangered Black Necked cranes.
The festival includes cultural programs such as folk
songs and dances ( some with black necked crane themes ) and mask dances
performed by the local people, cranes dances and environmental conservation
–themed dramas and songs by school children.
4.
LAUNCH OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST
BOOK – THE GREAT FOURTH , A KING FO DESTINY
Measuring 9m x 6m with approximately 111 pages, the
world’s largest book “11-11-11” will be launched on 11 November to beat the
current world record set in Dubai on a book on Koran that measures 5m x 8.06m (
16..4 ftx 26.44 ft) , weighs 1500 kg and consists of 429 pages. The book will have sandal wood
covered by brocade that will give off a special fragrance every time one opens
the book. The book’s cover will be carved with traditional artwork portraying
the picture of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
5.
MONGGAR TSHECHU
People from all over the region as far as Trashigang and
Lhuentse come to attend the festival. A lot of unique dances indigenous to the
region are also performed.
6.
SAMTSE TSHECHU
The annual Tshechu is the biggest festival in the southern
district of samtse. It attracts people from all over the district and the
otherwise small town of Samtse burst to life during the festival. Several mask
dances are performed during the festival together with other traditional songs
and dances.
7.
TANG NAMKHA RABNEY
The Tang Namkha Lhakhang Rabney is a 3 day annual
festival commemorating the founding of the Namkha Lhakhang by Lama Namkha
Samdrup.It is also performed for the peace and prosperity of the community.
8.
TRASHIGANG TSHECHU
The annual Trashigang Tshechu is one of the biggest
festivals in eastern Bhutan. People from all over eastern Bhutan come to the
festival. The nomadic community of Merak and Sakteng , called the Brokpas,
stand out of the crowd with their unique dress and appearance. Different sacred
mask dances are performed during the festival apart from other traditional folk
songs and dances. The highlight of the festival is the unfurling of the
thongdrrl (large tapestry) of Guru Tshengyed (8 manifestation of Guru Rinpoche)
. Another thongdril of Neten Chudrug (sixteen arthats) is also unfurled for the
public.
9.
JAMBAY LHAKHANG SINGYE CHAM
The Singye Cham (Lion Dance) is held at the Jambay
Lhakhang in Bumthang . The Jambay Singye Cham is performed once a year.
10.
NALAKHAR TSHECHU
The festival is held at the Ngaa Lhakhang in Nalakhar
village in Bumthang. The 3 days festival is one of the popular festivals in the
Choekhor Valley and attracts people from all over Bumthang, dressed in their
finest clothes. This festival is celebrated to bring happiness and prosperity
to the village and the country as a whole. It is also a symbolic prayer for
good harvest and for the well being for everyone.
11.
NGANG LHAKHANG
The festival held is at the Ngaa Lhakhang in Bumthang.
Several mask dances are performed during the festival. It is also believed that
the festival will bring happiness and better harvest to the entire community.
12.
NGANG LHAKHANG ZHEY
The festival held is at the Ngaa Lhakhang in Bumthang.
Several masks dances are performed during the festival will bring happiness and
harvest to the entire community.
13.
CHOJAM RABNEY FESTIVAL
The festival is held at the Chojamrab Lhakhang in Tang
Valley in Bumthang. It is one of the most important festivals of Tang Valley.
The festival is presided by the Chojam Lam, a reincarnate Lama. Mask dances are
highlights of the festival. Blessing ceremonies are also performed.
14.
YONPHU /KHOLONG TSHECHU
The Yonphu/Kholong festival is around 400 years old.
Amongst the sacred mask dances performed, the most notable are those initiated
by Terton Pema Lingpa and his descendants including Peling Ngacham, Saduel
Phagcham, Sangling Ngacham, Homcham, Drelcham and Gingcham.
DECEMBER
1.
DRUK WANGYEL TSHECHU
The Druk Wangyel Tshechu is a unique festival performed
by the Royal Bhutan Army rather than monks or lay people. It is a tribute to
the wise leadership of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of
Bhutan. It also celebrates the continuous efforts of the Royal Bhutan Army in
protecting the sovereignty and stability of the country. This one of a kind
tshechu is performed against the backdrop of the magnificent Jigme Singye
Wangchuck mountain range.
2.
PANGKHAR CHOEPA
The festival is held at Pangkhar monastery in Ura,
Bumthang. Legend has it that when the monastery was under construction, langurs
helped at night while humans used to work during the day. Hence the name
–prakar –which literally translates to white monkey. This festival celebrates
the origin of this temple. The festival lasts for 3 days.
3.
DUNGKAR TSHECHU
This is a popular annual festival in Lhuentse. It is
held at the Dungkar Ngtashang in Lhuentse. While many sacred mask dances are
performed, one of the main highlights of the festival are the set of treasure
dances ( terchams) choreographed by Terton Pema Lingpa.
4.
LHUENTSE TSHECHU
The festival is held at the Lhuentse Dzong. It draws
people from all over the district. The religious mask dances are the main
attractions of the festival. It is also the best time to witness women of
Lhuentse wear the famous Kushuthara –the intricately hand woven kira (women’s
dress) .This district is the birth place of some of the most intricate and
beautiful textiles.
5.
TRONGSA TSHECHU
Of the many festivals held in various parts of Trongsa,
the grandest is the annual Tshechu. In addition to traditional mask dances,
visitors can witness the unfurling of the sacred Thongdrol and receive
blessings. People also receive blessings from the sacred Nangtens (relics) that
is opened during the last day of the Tshechu.
6.
SAMDRUP JONGKHAR TSHECHU
The annual tshechu takes place at the courtyard of the
Dzong in Samdrup Jongkhar. It is the biggest festival in the southern district.
Several mask dances are performed during the tshechu apart from other
traditional dances.
7.
NABJI LHAKHANG DRUP
The Nabji Lhakhang Drup is celebrated in Nabji Village
in Trongsa. The festival is held in honor of Guru Rinpoche who is regarded as
the second Buddha in Tantric Buddhism and who visited Bhutan in 746 AD. The two
highlights of the festival are the religious naked dance just like the popular
Jambay Lhakhang Drug in Bumthang and a fire blessing ceremony. Several other
traditional mask dances are also performed during the festival.
