Calendar of Festivals in Bhutan, 2012

Festivals in the Land of the Thunder Dragon are rich and happy expressions of its ancient Buddhist culture. These festivals are held in all districts in honour of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Tsechus are held on auspicious days and months in the Bhutanese calendar, and last up to four days in which a series of highly stylised masked dance rituals are performed.

Festivals are also a big family and social occasion. People dress up in their finest clothes and most resplendent jewelry of coral and turquoise. They pack picnic lunches in their traditional bamboo baskets and stay all day at the festivals which are usually held in the dzongs (fortresses) or at monasteries.

Behind the scenes, the monks prepare themselves for weeks ahead of the festival, involved in deep prayer and meditation prior to the festival. The monks perform special masked dances that are inspirations of enlightened beings in history; and the Bhutanese believe that watching these mystical dances is essential to gain enlightenment. All Bhutanese try to attend a festival at least once in a lifetime, and for many, it is an important annual affair where they consider it a blessing to be able to watch the dances. Apart from the monks, community dancers also participate in the local festivals.

Calendar of Festivals, 2012. Dates are susceptible to change.


Trongsa Tshechu
Trongsa
Jan 2-4, 2012

Lhuntse Tshechu
Lhuntse
Jan 2-4, 2012

Takin Festival
Damji and Gasa
Jan 7-9, 2012

Nabji Lhakhang Drup
Nabji, Trongsa
Jan 9-13, 2012

Shingkhar Metochodpa
Ura, Bumthang
Jan 9, 2012

Nomad Festival
To be confirmed
Feb 23- 25, 2012

Punakha Dromche
Punakha
Feb 27-Mar 2, 2012

Punakha Tshechu
Punakha
Mar 3-5, 2012

Chorten Kora
Trashiyangtse
Mar 8-22, 2012

Gomkora
Trashigang
Mar 31-Apr 2, 2012

Paro Tshechu
Paro
Apr 2-6, 2012

Chukha Yakchoe
Chhukha
Apr 4-6, 2012

Ura Yakchoe
Bumthang
May 2-6, 2012

Nimalung Tshechu
Bumthang
Jun 27-29, 2012

Haa Valley Summer Festival
Haa Valley
Jul 7-8, 2012

Kurjey Tshechu
Bumthang
Jun 29, 2012

Thimphu Drupchen
Thimphu
Sep 20-24, 2012

Wangdi Tshechu
Wangdue
Sep 23-25, 2012

Tamshingphala Choepa
Bumthang
Sep 24-26, 2012

Thimphu Tshechu
Thimphu
Sep 25-27, 2012

Tangbi Mani
Bumthang
Sep 29-Oct 1, 2012

Shingkhar Rabney
Ura, Bumthang
Nov 1-5, 2012

Jakar Tshechu
Bumthang
Nov 3-6, 2012

Jambay Lhakhang Drup
Bumthang
Oct 29-Nov 2, 2012

Black-Necked Crane Festival
Gangtey
Nov 11, 2012

Prakhar Tshechu
Bumthang
Oct 30-Nov 1, 2012

Mongar Tshechu
Mongar
Nov 20-23, 2012

Trashigang Tshechu
Trashigang
Nov 21-24, 2012

Nalakhang Tshechu
Bumthang
Nov 28- 30, 2012

Dochula Festival
Dochula Pass
Dec 13, 2012

Trongsa Tshechu
Trongsa
Dec 21-23, 2012

Lhuntse Tshechu
Lhuntse
Dec 21-23, 2012

Source: ABTO