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Events and Festivals in Bhutan
Although various songs and music that are traditionally popular in the country bears a limited source of its origin, the masked dances have been inspired by great masters and saints whose names are revered by people of the country. Mostly performed to subdue demons and evil spirits that haunted places where people lived, it was then restored to dances by outstanding Buddhist saints in the later times. They are believed to be rare and powerful form of magical and tantric arts.
The origin of religious dances can be traced back as early as the 8th century AD when Guru Rinpochoe, a great Buddhist teacher, who visited Bhutan, used these tantric and magical dances to subdue evil spirits and demons. He chased and eliminated demons while building the Samye Monastery who prevented construction back in Tibet.
The mask dances performed today, during Tsechu festivals, are but those magical dances, enriched later by Buddhist masters to give visual aspects of religious teachings and help simple people to know and understand them. It was only during the 17th century when the country was unified under Drukpa Ka-gyu that the dances were inventoried and classified. These dances are believed to ensure well-being and happiness of all living beings. This is why they still survive in most festivals.
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Punakha Dromche – February 18 to 22 Punakha Tshechu – February 23 to 25 Chorten Kora – February 28 to March 15 Tharpaling Thongdrol – February 28 Tangsibi Mani (Ura, Bumthang) – February 27 to March 3 Bulli Mani (Chummi) – March 1 to 3 Gaden Chodpa (Ura, Bumthang) – March 13 to 15 Gomkora – March 23 to 25 Paro Tshechu – March 26 to 30 Chhukha Tshechu - March 28 to 30 Domkhar Tshechu – April 23 to 25 Ura Yakchoe – April 24 to 28 Padsel-Ling Kuchod – June 2 to 3 Nimalung Tshechu – June 19 to 21 Kurjey Tshechu – June 21 Thimphu Drupchen – September 12 to 16 Wangdi Tshechu – September 15 to 17 Tamshingphala Choepa – September 16 to 18 |
Thimphu Tshechu – September 17 to 19 Tangbi Mani – September 22 to 24 Shingkhar Rabney (Ura, Bumthang) – October 13 to 17 Jakar Dzong Tshechu – October 15 to 18 Jambay Lhakhang Drup – October 22 to 26 Prakhar Duchhoed – October 23 to 26 Sumdrang Kangsol (Ura, Bumthang) – November 2 to 6 Mongar Tshechu – November 13 to 16 Pemagatshel Tshechu – November 13 to 16 Trashigang Tshechu – November 14 to 17 Tang Namkha Rabney – November 15 to 16 Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham – November 21 Nalakhar Tshechu – November 21 to 23 Chojam Rabney (Tang, Geog) – November 20 to 24 Trongsa Tshechu – December 15 to 17 Lhuntse Tshechu – December 15 to 17 Shingkhar Metochodpa (Ura, Bumthang) – December 21 Nabji Lhakhang Drup – December 21 to 25 |