Festival Schedules 2025 & 2026

Thimphu Tsechu Festival
Thimphu Tsechu Festival
Dochula_festival_war_dance
Dochula_festival_war_dance

Tshechus – A History

Tsechus have always been an integral aspect of Bhutanese culture. It attracts tourists and locals alike in the hordes. Yet not many understand how these festivals originated and what they signify. So, we hereby present you with a brief history of the Tshechu, along with how and where it all began.

The great scholar Padmasambhava of the school of Nyingmapa (the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism) visited Tibet and Bhutan in the 8th and 9th century. As bon practices and animist rituals were rampant then, he converted opponents of the Dharma by reciting mantras, performing rites and dancing to subjugate local spirits.

His visit to Bhutan had been to aid the dying king Sindhu Raja. Padmasambhava performed a series of dances in the Bumthang valley which miraculously restored the king’s health. The king in return helped him spread Buddhism in Bhutan. So, Padmasambhava organized the first tshechu in Bumthang where the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava being the human form) were presented through eight forms of dances. These dances or Chams depicted the glory of Buddhism and were composed mainly to convey messages of the Buddha to the people. While some of the Chams were composed by Guru Rinpoche, others were created by Tertoen Pema Lingpa, Zhabdrung and other great saints.

During the mask dances, the deities of the tantric teachings are invoked and through their power and blessings, misfortunes are removed.  The dances are believed to suppress all evil spirits and demons that prevent the spread of Chhoe – the doctrine.

Thimphu Drubchen & Tshechu

The eleven-day annual Lhamoi Drubchen – a rite performed to appease the protecting deity Pelden Lhamo (Mahakali) – is held in September. Pelden Lhamo whose name translates into Glorious Goddess is the only female Dharma protector common to all four schools of Buddhism. She is one of the three main protecting deities of Bhutan.

Although the Thimphu Tshechu was introduced in 1670, the Drubchen was instituted sometime between 1705 and 1709 by Kuenga Gyaltshen, the first reincarnation of Jampel Dorji – the son of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. According to legend, Pelden Lhamo appeared before him while he was meditating and performed dances. And based on the dances, Kuenga Gyaltshen initiated the Drubchen.

Paro Tshechu

Paro Tshechu is the most popular pageantry in Bhutan with the unfurling of the world’s biggest Thangka or Thongdrel ceremony. The mask dances commemorate the deeds of the great saint Guru Rinpoche. The locals attend the colorful festival to gain merit.

The event inside Paro Rinpung Dzong commences with monks performing the Shingje Yab Yum – the dance of the lord of death (Shingje) and his consort. It is followed by Durdag – the dance of the lords of the cremation grounds, after which, the dance of the black hats, Shanag, and the dance of the drums from Drametse (Drametse Ngacham) are performed.

Punakha Drubchen & Tshechu

The Punakha Drubchen was introduced by Zhabdrung to commemorate the victories over the Tibetans. During the festival, the Pazaps or local militia men dress in battle gear and showcase a battle scene from the distant past. In the absence of a standing army, men from the eight Tshogchens of Thimphu and Punakha valley came forward and managed to expel the Tibetan forces from Bhutan. As for the Punakha Tshechu, it was started by the 70th Je Khenpo Trulku Jigme Choedra.

The Thongdrel unveiled during the festival is of great significance. Measuring 83ft by 93ft, it is composed entirely of appliqué on 6,000 meters of silk brocade that took 51 artists two years to complete. The top half of the Thongdrel is devoted to the 11 manifestations of Zhabdrung’s lineage. The bottom half depicts Bhutan’s spiritual leaders including the current Je Khenpo.

Trashigang Tshechu

The Trashigang Tshechu takes place in the winter months. What attracts tourist to this festival is the nomadic people from Merak and Sakten with their unique costumes and attires. The Kholong Tshechu in Trashigang, which begins in Yonphu towards the end of November, also draws a huge crowd not only because it is the oldest Tshechu in Eastern Bhutan but because of its name. Kholong – translated in Sharchopkha means a fight. So, a precise interpretation would be ‘the fighting tshechu’.

Chorten Kora & Namgang Kora

These circumambulations of the Chortens by the Dakpas (people of Tawang District of Arunachal Pradesh in India) and Drukpas (Bhutanese) are held in the first lunar month and are attended by people from all over the eastern region in Bhutan and from India.

A popular belief is that when the stupa was constructed, a pious dakini princess from Arunachal Pradesh entombed herself within, as the Yeshe Semba, to meditate on behalf of all beings. Hence, devotees from Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, India, joined the Bhutanese counterparts in the Namgang Kora – one of eastern Bhutan’s oldest festivals which is held annually at the Chorten Kora in Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag.

Trongsa Tshechu

Trongsa Tshechu, the oldest festival in Bhutan, is held annually inside the vast Trongsa Dzong. It is believed that the Tshechus began to spread in Bhutan from Trongsa. During the three-day festival, locals and monks perform mask dances, and traditional folk songs and dances are showcased as offerings to Guru Padmasambhava and local deities.

Festivals in Bumthang

Jambay Lhakhang Drup

This festival is held for dual reasons; to commemorate the establishment of the Jambey Lhakhang (temple) in the 7th century and to honor Guru Rinpoche who introduced tantric Buddhism in Bhutan.
This festival is one of the most important in Bhutan and the highlight is the Mewang – the fire ceremony – and the Tercham – a religious dance. The fire dance is supposed to bless infertile women so that they may bear children.

Domkhar Festival

The Domkhar festival in Chumey valley in Bumthang was initiated by a preeminent scholar of Dranang in Tibet, Lam Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam, in the 16th century. He promoted the special teaching of Dzongpo Chenpo (great perfection) and founded eight monasteries throughout the country. The festival held every year in April at the Domkhar temple is in his honor.

Jakar Festival

This festival is held within the walls of Jakar Dzong to honor the Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) who brought Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan during 8th century. The festival lasts for three days in mid-October during the ninth month of the Bhutanese lunar calendar.

Bhutan Festival Schedules for 2025 & 2026

Sl.No Festival Place 2025 2026
1 Lhamoi Dromchhen Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa   22nd-24th February
2 Lhuentse Tsechu Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse 27th-31st December 08th-10th January
3 Punakha Dromchoe Punakha Dzong, Punakha   24th-26th February
4 Punakha Tshechu Punakha Dzong, Punakha   27st February – 1st March
5 Tharpaling Thongdrol Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chummi, Bumthang   03rd March
6 Gomphu Kora Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang   26th-28th March
7 Talo Tshechu Talo Gonpa, Punakha   26th-28th March
8 Gasa Tshechu Gasa Dzong, Gasa   26th-28th March
9 Zhemgang Tshechu Zhemgang   26th-28th March
10 Paro Tshechu Rinpung Dzong, Paro   29th March -02nd April
11 Haa Spring Festival Yangthang Ground, Haa   07th -09th April
12 Domkhar Tsechu Domkhar, Chummi, Bumthang   26th-28th April
13 Ura Yakchoe Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang   28th April – 02nd May
14 Nimalung Tsechu Nimalung Dratshang, Chummi, Bumthang   22nd -24th June
15 Kurjey Tsechu Kurjey Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang   24th June
16 Mushroom Festival Genekha, Geneyzam, Thimphu 15th – 16th August 15th – 16th August
17 Tour of the Dragon (Bicycle Race) Bumthang to Thimphu 06th September 05th September
18 Thimphu Drubchen Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu 28th September 17th September
19 Wangdue Tsechu Wangduephodrang 30th September – 02nd October 19th– 21st September
20 Thimphu Tsechu Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu 02nd -04th October

21st – 23rd September

21 Tamshing Phala Chhoepa Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 02nd -04th October  

21st – 23rd September

22 Gangtey Tsechu Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang 05th-07th October 24th-26th September
23 Thangbi Mani Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang 07th-08th October 26th-27th September
24 Chhukha Tsechu Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha 29th-31st October 19th-21st October
25 Jakar Tsechu Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang 29th-31st  October -01st November 18th-21st October
26 Jambay Lhakhang Drup Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 05th-08th November 26th-29th October
27 Prakar Duchhoed Prakar Lhakhang, Chummi, Bumthang 06th-08th November 27th-29th October
28 Black Necked Crane Festival Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang 11th November 11th November
29 Mongar Tsechu Mongar Dzong, Mongar 28th-30th November 17th-19th November
30 Trashigang Tsechu Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang 29th-30th December – 1st November 18th-20th November
31 Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 04th December 24th November
32 Nalakhar Tsechu Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 04th-06th December 24th-26th November
33 Druk Wangyel Tsechu Dochula, Thimphu 13th December 13th December