Tshechu is a spiritual event meaning “tenth day” held yearly in every monasteries and fortress all over the country.
The Tshechu is a spiritual occasion celebrated on tenth day of a month of the lunar calendar corresponding to the birthday of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava). But the exact date of the Tshechu depends from place to place and monasteries to monasteries
Tshechus are large festival where every community come up together to observe religious mask dances, get blessing and entertain. In addition to the mask dances, Tshechus also include colorful Bhutanese dances and other forms of entertainment.
It is believed that everyone must see a Tshechu and witness the mask dances at least once to receive blessings and get ride of their sins. Each mask dance carry out unique significance based on stories since back date to 8th century, during the life of Guru Rimpoche . The mask dance are performed by monk in monasteries. The largest festival of the country is Paro Tshechu and the Thimphu Tshechu in terms of high numbers of audience including tourist.
TENTATIVE FESTIVAL DATES 2019
SL # | FESTIVAL | PLACE | Date |
1 | Punakha Drubchen | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 12th – 14th Feb |
2 | Punakha Tshechu | Punakha Dzong, Punakha | 15th – 17th Feb |
3 | Tharpaling Thongdrol | Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang | 19th Feb |
4 | Gomphukora | Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang | 14th – 16th March |
5 | Talo Tshechu | Talo Gonpa, Punakha | 14th – 16th March |
6 | Gasa Tshechu | Gasa Dzong, Gasa | 14th – 16th March |
7 | Zhemgang Tshechu | Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang | 14th – 17th March |
8 | Paro Tshechu | Rinpung Dzong, Paro | 17th – 21st March (Thongdral on last day |
9 | Chhorten Kora | Chorten Kora, Trashiyangtshe | 21st March & 5th April |
10 | Rhododendron Festival | Lamperi Botanical Garden, Dochula, Thimphu | 19th – 21st April |
11 | Domkhar Tshechu | Domkhar, Chumni, Bumthang. | 14th – 16th April |
12 | Ura Yakchoe | Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang | 16th – 20th April |
13 | Nimalung Tshechu | Nimalung Dratshang, Chumni, Bumthang | 10th – 11th July |
14 | Kurjey Tshechu | Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang | 11th July |
15 | Haa Summer Festival | Haa | 13th & 14th July |
16 | Mushroom Festival | Genekha, Thimphu. | 15th & 16th Aug |
17 | Masutaki Mushroom Festival | Ura, Bumthang | 23rd & 24th Aug |
18 | Tour of the Dragon (Bicycle Race) | Bumthang to Thimphu | 7th Sept |
19 | Thimphu Drubchen | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 4th Oct |
20 | Wangdue Tshechu | Tencholing Army Ground, Wangduephodrang. | 5th – 7th Oct |
21 | Tamshing Phala Chhoepa | Tamshing lhakhang, Bumthang | 7th – 9th Oct |
22 | Thimphu Tshechu | Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu | 8th – 10th Oct |