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In Bhutan, traditional values have always been largely shaped by Buddhist concepts. The dances are performed on auspicious days and are parts of festivals, which are called tshechu. These festivals have different names according to the places. On these occasions, a whole community, which is usually dispersed throughout a valley, gathers at one place at a given time and socializes, making a traditional event in contemporary jargon.
Invariably, the tshechu is celebrated on the10th day of the month in the Bhutanese lunar calendar, this being an auspicious date.
Through these religious events and in an entertaining way, knowledge is imparted to the public who are often not highly educated and cannot read, or have no time to immerse themselves in arduous religious texts. In the context of the traditional society, reading religious texts was considered as the task of the religious specialists like monks etc, and not so much of the common people, who only read or recite their daily prayers. Moreover it is well-known that images (dances) have a much stronger impact than texts.
The most famous festivals are the Paro festival in Spring (March / April) and the Thimphu festival in Autumn (Sept) because these are also the peak tourist month. However, every region and every village holds its own tshechu at different times of the year. Many colourful festivals take place in Punakha, already warm in the early Spring, Wangdi in Autumn and Trongsa in the middle of Winter.
The festivities consist mainly of masked dances, chanting, blessing or reading religious texts aloud and last two to three days. The repertory of masked dances and the gorgeous silk and brocade costumes are almost the same for all the 'tshechu' - only the settings are different. The events take place both, outside and inside of the Dzongs. Thronging with locals, these occasions are a visual delight for all to experience. The climax of the festivals is the unfurling of a huge silk appliqué called 'thangka' from the top of the building. This takes place on the last day of the festival. The Punakha Dromchoe, which is celebrated either before or after the Tshechu, is performed to commemorate victory over the Tibetans when they invaded in the 17th century.
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Bhutan Festival dates
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Sno#
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FESTIVAL
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PLACE
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2009
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2010
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1
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Punakha Domchoe |
Punakha
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03 - 05 Mar
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18 - 22 Feb
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2
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Punakha Tsechu |
Punakha
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06 - 08 Mar
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23 -25 Feb
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3
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Chorten Kora |
Tashi Yangtse
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11 & 26 Mar
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28 Feb -15 Mar
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4
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Gom Kora Tshechu |
Tashigang
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02 - 04 April
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23 - 25 Mar
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5
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Chhukha Tshechu |
Chhukha
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07 - 09 April
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28 - 30 Mar
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6
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Paro Tshechu |
Paro
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05 - 09 April
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26 - 30 Mar
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7
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Ura Tshechu |
Bumthang
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05 - 09 May
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24 - 28 April
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8
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Nimalung Tshechu |
Bumthang
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30 Jun - 02 Jul
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19 - 21 June
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9
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Kurjey Tshechu |
Bumthang
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2-Jul
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21-Jun
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10
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Wangdu Tshechu |
Wangdue
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26 - 28 Sept
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15 - 17 Sept
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11
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Tamshing Phala Choepa |
Bumthang
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27 - 29 Sept
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16 - 18 Sept
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12
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Thimphu
Drupchen |
Thimphu
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23 - 27 Sep
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12 - 16 Sept
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13
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Thimpu Festival Tour |
Thimphu
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28 - 30 Sep
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17 - 19 Sept
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14
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Tangbi Mani |
Bumthang
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03 - 05 Oct
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22 - 24 Sept
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15
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Jambay Lakhang Drup |
Bumthang
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02 - 06 Nov
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22 - 26 Oct
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16
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Prakar Tshechu |
Bumthang
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03 - 05 Nov
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23 - 25 Oct
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17
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Ngalakhang Tsehchu |
Bumthang
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02 - 04 Dec
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21 -23 Nov
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18
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Mongar Tshechu |
Mongar
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25 - 27 Nov
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13 -16 Nov
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19
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Pemagatsel Tshechu |
Pemagatsel
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25 - 27 Nov
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13 - 16 Nov
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20
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Tashigang Tshechu |
Tashigang
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26 - 28 Nov
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14 - 17 Nov
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21
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Lhuntse Tshechu |
Lhuntse
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05 - 07 Jan
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15 - 17 Dec
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22
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Trongsa Tshechu |
Tongsa
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05 - 07 Jan
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15 - 17 Dec
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» Festival Dates Published by Bhutan Tourism Bureau.
» All festival dates are calculated according to the Tibetan/Buddhist lunar
» Calendar and are subject to change without notice by the local authorities. |
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