travel@bhutan-trips.com | +975 2 341089
Explore the wonders in Bhutan with us

Festivals in Bhutan

Festivals in Bhutan

Tshechu is a religious festival meaning "tenth day" of a month of the lunar calendar corresponding to the birthday of Guru Rimpoche held annually in various Temples, Monasteries and Dzongs throughout the country. The Month depends upon the place to place and temple to temple.

Tshechus are grand events where entire communities come together to witness religious mask dances, receive blessings and socialize. In addition to the mask dances tshechus also include colorful Bhutanese dances and other forms of entertainment.

It is believed that everyone must attend a Tshechu and witness the mask dances at least once to in order to receive blessings and wash away their sins. Every mask dance performed during a Tshechu has a special meaning or a story behind it and many are based on stories and incidents from as long ago as the 8th century, during the life of Guru Padmasambhava. In monasteries the mask dances are performed by monks and in remote villages they are performed jointly by monks and village men.

Two of the most popular Tshechus in the country are the Paro and Thimphu Tshechus in terms of participation and audience. Besides the locals many tourists from across the world are attracted to these unique, colorful and exciting displays of traditional culture.These are four day festival with the last day marked by unfurling of the Throngdel, a very large scroll painting or Thangkha early in the morning.

Festival Dates for 2017 - Updated - As provided by Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators

Name Town Start Date End Date
Punakha Drubchen Punakha 12 Feb 2019 14 Feb 2019
Punakha Tshechu Punakha 15 Feb 2019 17 Feb 2019
Gomphu Kora Trashi Yangtse 14 Mar 2019 16 Mar 2019
Paro Tshechu Paro 17 Mar 2019 21 Mar 2019
Chhorten Kora Trashi Yangtse 21 Mar 2019 05 Apr 2019
Rhododendron Festival Thimphu 19 Apr  2019 21 Apr 2019
Ura Yakchoe Bumthang 16 Apr  2019 20 Apr  2019
Nimalung Tshechu Bumthang 10 Jul  2019 12 Jul  2019
Kurjey Tshechu Bumthang 11 Jul 2019  
Thimphu Drubchen Thimphu 04 Oct 2019 04 Oct 2019
Wangdue Tshechu Wangdue Phodrang 06 Oct 2019 08 Oct 2019
Tamshing Phala Chhoepa Bumthang 08 Oct  2019 10 Oct  2019
Thimphu Tshechu Thimphu 08 Oct  2019 10 Oct  2019
Thangbi Mani Bumthang 11 Oct  2019 14 Oct  2019
Pemagatshel Tshechu Pemagatshel 10 Nov  2019 12 Nov  2019
Jambay Lhakhang Drup Bumthang 13 Nov 2019 16 Nov  2019
Prakhar Duchhoed Bumthang 14 Nov 2019  16 Nov 2019
Black Necked Crane Festival Wangdue Phodrang 11 Nov 2019 11 Nov 2019
Mongar Tshechu Mongar 05 Dec 2019 05 Dec 2019
Trashigang Tshechu Trashigang 05 Dec 2019 07 Dec 2019
Jambay Lakhang Singye Cham Bumthang 12 Dec 2019 12 Dec 2019
Nalakhar Tshechu Bumthang 12 Dec 2019 12 Dec 2019
Druk Wangyel Tshechu Thimphu 13 Dec 2019 13 Dec 2019
Trongsa Tshechu Trongsa 04 Jan 2020 07 Jan 2020
Lhuentse Tshechu Lhuentse 04 Jan 2020 07 Jan 2020

Featured Tours and Treks

Testimonials

  • Thilo and Cordula

    • Very good guide/driver team, we had a lot of fun with them. Very special thanks for the visa support to get back to India We had a lot of luck during our tour with N.B. as we were able to see the Kankar Punsum and also wild monkeys eating and jumping in the trees above us. Please find our selected photos of that attached. Thank you very much again for letting us join together for dinner with your wife, for your hospitality and your gifts. We still find us very surprised at Bhutan, from its cultural spots and landscape.

  • Ms. Margaret and Friends

    • Had an extremely amazing time! Lobzang and Subba were great & hospitality 2nd to none! Thank you for such a great time and we definitely encourage more people to come visit Bhutan via your travel guides. Thank you for all your hospitality. Our Trip to Bhutan was better than what we expected. It was great to meet Lobzang and Sanman every morning there to greet us with a smile. Lobzang’s knowledge of Bhutan and all the historical places is fantastic. Also Sanman’s driving made us feel safe at all times and very comfortable. Whenever we talk about Bhutan we will always recommend you all.

  • Mr. Christoph A. Riedweg

    • Tika and Mohan went out of their way to make our stay comfortable and enjoyable. For all of our requests they tried there very best to arrange (food, sightseeing, shopping). The trip offered a great mix of sightseeing, history, nature and daily life in Bhutan. We truly enjoyed our stay.

  • Aveek Pradhan

    • Service offered was quite appreciating and we look forward to avail other services in the near future.

  • Ms. Nilima and friends

    • Excellent Trip. Thanks to Vivek and Santosh. Amazing guide and an excellent driver. They made our trip memorable. We would recommend them to everyone.