Bhutan, "the land of the Thunder Dragon," is rich in culture and is popular for exuberant and colorful festivals. Bhutan Festivals are celebrated in honor of Guru Rimpoche, and most importantly, to indulge in contentment. 

Bhutan, known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a country deeply rooted in its cultural traditions, with festivals playing a crucial role in its societal fabric. These festivals, locally known as 'Tshechus', are vibrant, colorful, and imbued with deep spiritual significance, forming an integral part of Bhutanese life.

Tshechus are held in various temples, monasteries, and dzongs (fortresses) across Bhutan, each with its unique character and legends. The most renowned among these are the Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha Tshechus. These festivals are predominantly Buddhist in nature, commemorating the deeds of Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, who is revered for bringing Buddhism to Bhutan.

Central to these celebrations are the mask dances, or 'chams', performed by monks and laypeople. Dressed in elaborate, colorful costumes and masks, the dancers enact scenes from Buddhist mythology, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. These dances are believed to bestow blessings upon the viewers and cleanse them of sins. Furthermore, they serve as a medium for imparting moral teachings, emphasizing themes of impermanence and the importance of compassion and wisdom.

Apart from the religious and spiritual aspect, Tshechus are also significant social gatherings. They provide an opportunity for people from different communities to come together, dressed in their finest traditional attire. It’s a time for rejoicing, feasting, and participating in communal activities, reinforcing social bonds and cultural identity.

Another notable aspect is the display of giant Thangkas, or 'Thongdrels'. Unveiled at dawn, these sacred scrolls are revered for their spiritual power. Merely viewing a Thongdrel is believed to cleanse one of their sins and bring good fortune.

Each festival also has its unique elements; for instance, the Punakha Drubchen reenacts a 17th-century battle against Tibetan forces, showcasing the martial tradition of Bhutan.

In recent years, these festivals have also attracted international tourists, drawn by the allure of Bhutan’s rich cultural tapestry and spiritual ethos. They offer a glimpse into a deeply spiritual and culturally rich society, where tradition and modernity coexist harmoniously.

In essence, Bhutanese festivals are not just annual religious events; they are a vibrant expression of a nation's heritage and spirituality, a living, breathing testament to Bhutan's commitment to preserving its unique cultural identity in an ever-changing world.

Spiritual music, colorful wooden masks, brocade costumes, and amazing dance attributes to the Bhutan festivals.

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FESTIVAL

PLACE

DATE

1.

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS MAJESTY JIGME KHESAR NAMGYEL

WANGCHUCK

 

21st - 23rd February

2.

PELDEN LHAMOI DRUPCHEN/ FESTIVAL OF

MAHAKALI

Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa

25th - 27th February

3.

DRUBCHEN

Punakha Dzong, Punakha

24th - 28th February

4.

PHURBA DUBCHEN

Doedel Pemacholing Lhakhang, Ramjar,

Trashi Yangtse

26th February - 7th March

5.

TRASHIYANGTSE ANNUAL TSHECHU

Tokaphu Lhakhang, Tongzhang, Trashi Yangtse

27th February - 1st March

6.

KHENGZOR TSHECHU

Khengzor Lhakhang,

Khar, Pemagatshel

28th February - 2nd March

7.

LICHIBI TSECHU

Lichibi, Zhemgang

1st March

8.

PUNAKHA TSHECHU

Punakha Dzong, Punakha

1st - 3rd March

9.

NAKTSHANG TSECHU

Nyalamdung Naktshang, Khoma, Lhuntse

1st - 5th March

10

NGANGLAM TSHECHU

Nganglam Lhakhang,

Zobel, Pemagatshel

5th - 7th March

11

TANGSIBI MANI

Tangsibi Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang

6th - 10th March

12

THARPALING THONGDROL

Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumey,Bumthang

7th March

13

CHENGA KORA

Chorten Kora, Trashi Yangtse

7th March

14

ZHURI DUECHOED

Zhuri Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang

17th - 18th March

 

15

GAYDEN CHOEDPA

Gayden Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang

19th - 21st March

16

NAMGANG KORA

Chorten Kora, Trashi Yangtse

21st March

17

KHARPHU LHASOL

BjokaTrong, Zhemgang

24th March

18

ZHEMGANG DZONGKHAG TSECHU

Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang

28th - 31st March

19

GASA TSECHU

Gasa Dzong, Gasa

28th - 31st March

20

TSIRANG TSHECHU

Ragbey Dratshang, Tsirang

29th - 31st March

21

TALO TSECHU

Talo Monastry, Punakha

29th - 31st March

22

GOMKORA TSHECHU

Gomphu Kora, Trashi Yangtse

31st March

23

PREWCHOED

Buli/Tali/Nangkhor, Zhemgang

31st March

24

BHUTAN INTERNATIONAL MARATHON RUN

Gasa – Punakha

4th March

25

DZONGDRA TSHECHU

Dzongdrakha Lhakhang, Luni, Paro

31st March - 7th April

26

PARO TSHECHU CHHENMO

Ringpung Deyangkha, Paro

2nd - 6th April

27

KHOMSHAR TSECHU

Khomshar, Zhemgang

6th - 8th April

28

RHODODENDRON FESTIVAL

Lamperi Botanical Garden, Dochula, Thimphu

17th - 19th April

29

RAWABI TSHECHU

Rawabi Goenpa, Maenbi, Lhuentse

28th - 30th April

30

TASHICHOLING

LHAKHANG TSHECHU

Tashicholing Lhakhang,

Yurung, Pemagatshel

28th - 30th April

31

DUNGKHAR TSHECHU

Dungkhar Lhakhang, Khar,

Pemagatshel

28th April - 1st May

 

32

DUNGMED TSHECHU

Dungmed Lhakhang,

Pemagatshel

28th - 30th April

33

NEYPHU MANI

NeyphuGoenpa Shaba Gewog

 

30th April

34

DOMKHAR TSHECHU

Domkhar Lhakhang, Chumey, Bumthang

30th April - 2nd May

35

URA YAKCHOED

Ura Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang

2nd - 6th May

36

DUMATI TSECHU

Dumati, Lichibi, Zhemgang

14th May

37

DOLAY DRUPCHEN

Taktshang Pelphu

20th - 30th May

38

PREW KHOWCHUNG

Gangzur, Lhuntse

30th May

39

PREW

Jasabi, Kurtoe, Lhuentse

30th May - 1st June

40

BONCHOED

Trong/Dangkhar, Zhemgang

3rd June

41

ZOBEL TSHECHU

Zobel Lhakhang, Zobel,

Pemagatshel

2nd - 4th June

42

DER-CHOED

Bjoka Trong, Zhemgang

25th - 28th June

43

DECHENLING TSHECHU

Dechenling Lhakhang,

Dechenling, Pemagatshel

26th - 28th June

44

NIMALUNG TSHECHU

Nimalung Dratshang, Bumthang

26th - 28th June

45

DUNGSINGMA TSHECHU

Dungsingma, Yurung

Pemagatshel

28th June

46

KURJEY TSHECHU

Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang

28th June

47

KHAMDANG TENDRA TSHECHU

Shaksing Goenpa, Khamdang, Trashi Yangtse

27& 28th June

48

TRELDHA TSHECHU

Geokar Lhakhang, Yalang, Trashi Yangtse

28th June

49

THE SAKTEN TSHECHU

Yuejug, Sakteng

28th June

 

50

HA FESTIVAL

All Chiwogs in Jarey, Lhuentse

28th June - 2nd July

51

THE HAA SUMMER

FESTIVAL

Dzongkhag Ground, Upper market, Haa

2nd weekend of July

52

HUNGLA CHOKHOR

Tokaphu Lhakhang, Tongzhang, Trashi Yangtse

14th - 16th Aug

53

LHAMOI DOEY-PHANG

Ringpung Dzong, Paro

27th July

54

MERAK TSECHU/ SEMI

NOMAD FESTIVAL

Gengo, Merak

15th - 16th Aug

55

A-HOI BONCHOED

Bjoka Trong, Zhemgang

19th Aug

56

MATSUTAKE MUSHROOM FESTIVAL

Genekha, Thimphu

20th - 21st Aug

57

DONGDORLA DUECHOED

Bjoka Trong, Zhemgang

23rd - 26th Aug

58

TAKILA CHHAM

Takila Lhakhang, Lhuentse

29th - 31st Aug

59

KESIBI CHAA

Kesibi Lhakhang, Maenbi, Lhuentse

29th - 31st August

60

TAKILA CHHA FESTIVAL

Takila Lhakhang (old), Lhuentse

31st August

61

TOUR OF THE DRAGON (MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE)

Bumthang to Thimphu

7th September

62

CHUKOR

Shaksing goenpa, Khamdang, Trashi Yangtse

4th - 14th September

63

CHHA

Chhusa & Zimpong, Kurtoe, Lhuentse

17th -19th September

64

THIMPHU DROMCHOE

Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu

20th September

65

BUM TASHI FESTIVAL

Gasa Dzong, Gasa

2nd October

66

DROMCHE

Rinpung Dzong, Paro

22nd September

67

GOENPUNG TSHECHU

Shumar/Goenpun,

Pemagatshel

22nd - 24th September

 

68

KOTHAKPA TSHECHU

Shumar/Kothakpa,

Pemagatshel

22nd - 24th September

69

HAA TSECHU

Lhakhang Karpo, Haa

22nd - 24th September

70

WANGDUE TSHECHU

Tencholing Army Ground, Wangduephodrang

22nd - 24th September

71

TERCHEN DRUPCHEN

Kichu Lhakhang, Paro

23rd September - 4th October

72

GELING GOENPA TSHECHU

Geyling Goenpa,         Chukha

23rd - 24th September

73

LAMAI KUCHOED

Dorji Gompa, Tang, Bumthang

23rd - 25th September

74

SHAKSINGGOENPA TRADIONAL CHAM TSHECHU

Shaksing Goenpa, Khamdang, Trashi Yangtse

23rd - 25th September

75

JANGCHUBLING WANG

Gangzur, Lhuentse

24th September

76

THIMPHU TSHECHU

Tashichhodzong, Thimphu

24th - 26th September

77

TAMSHING PHALA CHOEDPA

Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang

24th - 26th September

78

NEY, JANG AND GANGZUR

CHHA

Gangzur, Lhuentse

24th - 26th September

79

DUNGSINGMA TSHECHU

Dungsingma, Yurung ,

Pemagatshel

27th - 29th September

80

NANGKOR TSHECHU

Shumar, Pemagatshel

27th - 29th September

81

GANGTEY TSHECHU

Gangtey Goenpa, Phobjikha,

Wangduephodrang.

27th - 29th September

82

THANGBI MEWANG

Thangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang

29th - 30th September

83

KADAM TSHECHU

Kadam Lhakhang,

Khar, Pemagatshel

28th - 30th September

 

84

PHUENTSHOLING THROMDE TSECHU

Pelden Tashichoelling Shedra, Phuentsholing

29th September

85

KHOMSHAR KHARPHU

Khomshar, Zhemgang

29th September

86

DANKALA MANI (MANTRA)/TSHECHU-

Dankala lhakhang Shaba, Paro

29th September

87

LAYA AULAY

Laya, Gasa

22nd – 28th october

88

JOMOLHARI MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL

Jangkothang, Upper Paro

14th - 15th October

89

SHINGKHAR RABNEY

Shingkhar Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang

20th - 24th September

90

“BHO-YAK”

Janka-kha at upper valley of Haa.

21st October

91

ROYAL HIGHLAND FESTIVAL

Laya, Gasa

23rd - 24th October

92

JAKAR TSHECHU

Jakar Dzong, Bumthang

21st - 25th October

93

CHUKHA TSHECHU

Chukha Ngedrubtse Dzong, Chukha

23rd - 24th October

94

LANYIRI TSHECHU

Lanyiri Lhakhang,

Dungmin, Pemagatshel

22nd - 24th October

95

UGYENCHOLING KANGSEL

Ugyencholing Dzong, Tang, Bumthang

 

22nd - 24th October

96

TSHEBAR TSHECHU

Tshebar Lhakhang,     Khar,

Pemagatshel

23rd - 25th October

97

GOENKAR TSECHU

Goenkar, Khoma, Lhuentse

23rd - 25th October

98

DECHENPHUG TSECHU

Dechenphug lhakhang, Thimphu

24th October

99

DUNGMED TSHECHU

Dungmed Lhakhang,

Dungmin, Pemagatshel

26th - 28th October

100

PEMAGATSHEL TSHECHU

Pemagatshel Dzong,

Pemagatshel

26th - 28th October

101

CHANGANGKHA LHAKHANG TSECHU

Changangkha Lhakhang Thimphu

27th October

102

TSHEPAMI THRONGDREL

Ringpung Deyangkha, Paro

28th October

 

103

LAYA RUN

Laya, Gasa

23rd October

104

JAMBAY LHAKANG

SINGYE CHAM

Jambay Lhakhang,

Choekhor, Bumthang

27th November

105

JAMBAY LHAKANG DRUP

Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang

28th - 31st October

106

PRAKAR DUECHOE

Prakar Lhakang, Bumthang

29th - 31st October

107

PANBANG TSECHU

Sonamthang Dratshang, zhemgang

2nd - 4th November

108

SERZHONG TSECHU

Do-Ngag Kuenzangcholing Lhakhang, Serzhong,

Sarpang

22nd - 24th October

109

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF

HIS MAJESTY JIGME SINGYE WANGCHUCK

 

11th November

110

BLACK-NECKED CRANE FESTIVAL -

Gangtey Goenpa,

Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang.

11 November

111

BIRD FESTIVAL

Tingtibi, Zhemgang

11th -13th November

112

SUMTHRANG KANGSEL

Sumthrang Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang

 

9th - 13th November

113

KHOMSHAR KATAG

Khomshar, Zhemgang

12th November

114

YESHEY GOENPOI DRUPCHEN/ FESTIVAL OF

MAHAKALA

Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa

18th - 20th November

115

MONGAR TSECHU

Mongar Dzong, Mongar

19th - 22nd

November

116

TANG NAMKHAR RABNEY

Tang Namkhar Lhakhang,

Tang, Bumthang

21st - 22nd November

117

DECHENLING TSHECHU

Dechenling Lhakhang,

Dechenling, Pemagatshel

20th - 22nd November

118

MENCHU PEMAPHUENDEY

Norbugang, Pemagatshel

20th - 22nd November

119

PEMA YOESELCHOLING GOENPA TSECHU

Kencholing, Geog: Shompangkhag, Sarpang

4th November

120

GEOKAR LHAKHANG

TSHECHU

Geokar Lhakhang, Yalang,

Trashi Yangtse

22nd - 27th

November

121

DOEDEL PEMACHOLING TSHECHU

Doedel Pemacholing

Lhakhang, Ramjar, Trashi Yangtse

24th - 28th November

122

GOSHING TSECHU

Goshing Trong, Zhemgang

25th - 26th November

 

 

 

 

 

123

PHUMITHANG TSECHU

Phumithang Dratshang, Zhemgang

25th - 27th November

124

GAMUNG TSHECHU

Shumar/Gamung,

Pemagatshel

25th - 27th November

125

GONGPHU TSECHU

Gongphu, Zhemgang

25th - 27th November

126

BULI TSECHU

Buli, Zhemgang

25th - 27th November

127

KHANGMA TSHECHU

Khangma Lhakhang,

Yurung, Pemagatshel

26th - 28th November

128

BJOKA TSECHU

Bjoka Trong, Zhemgang

26th - 29th November

129

CHOJAM RABNEY

Chojam Lhakahng, Tang, Bumthang

27th November

130

LADRONG RABNEY

Ladrong Lhakhang, Jarey, Lhuentse

26th - 30th November

131

BONCHOED

Trong/Dangkhar, Zhemgang

27th November

132

KHARPHU BONCHOED

Shingkhar, Zhemgang

27th November

133

MAMUNG TSECHU

Mamung Trong, Zhemgang

27th November

134

TASHIBI TSECHU

Tashibi, Zhemgang

27th November

135

NANGLA TSECHU

Nangla, Trong, Zhemgang

27th November

136

BONCHOED

Buli/Tali/Kikhar/Nangkhor,

Zhemgang

27th November

137

THRISA TSECHU

Thrisa, Zhemgang

27th - 30th November

138

LANGDURBI BONCHOED

Langdurbi, Zhemgang

27th - 29th November

139

NGA LHAKHANG ZHI

Nga Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang

27th - 29th November

140

BARDO KHARPHU

Bardo, Zhemgang

27th - 30th November

141

CHUZANGANG TSECHU

Chuzangang Lhakhang,

Serzhong, Sarpang

15th November

142

SHINGKHAR TSECHU

Shingkhar, Zhemgang

27th November - 1st

December

143

WAMLING TSECHU

Wamling, Zhemgang

27th November - 1st

December

144

PANGKHAR CHOEDPA

Pangkhar Lhakhang, Ura,

Bumthang

7th - 12th December

145

MONPA Festival

Jangbi, Trongsa

10th December

146

JANGCHUBLING TSECHU

Gangzur, Lhuentse

10th - 11th December

147

DRUK WANGYEL TSHECHU

Dochula, Thimphu

13th December

 

148

LOMBA

Individual House, Haa and

Paro

11th December

149

DUNGKAR TSHECHU

Kurtoe, Lhuentse

20th - 22nd December

150

TRONGSA ANNUAL

TSHECHU

Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa

20th - 23rd December

151

LHUENTSE DZONG (LHUENTSE TSHECHU):

Gangzur Lhuentse

19th - 23rd December

152

SAMDRUP JONGKHAR ANNUAL TSECHU

Samdrup Jongkhar Rabdey

24th - 26th December

153

KILUNG CHOTPA

Gangzur, Lhuentse

25th and 26th

December