Bhutan Festival

Tshechu is a religious festival meaning “tenth day” held annually in various temples, monasteries and dzongs throughout the country.

The Tshechu is a religious event celebrated on tenth day of a month of the lunar calendar corresponding to the birthday of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava). However the exact month of the Tshechu varies from 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.

SL.NO	FESTIVAL	PLACE	DATES
1	Birth Anniversary Of 1 His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck		21st – 23rd February
2	Pelden Lhamoi 2 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 5 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 Tshechue	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, Lhuentseg	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	5th -7th December
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 Throngdrelu	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, Wangdue Phodrang.	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