Festivals of Bhutan

At various times of the year, Bhutanese in towns and villages congregate to witness masked dance festivals known as Tshechu. These colorful events draw thousands of locals, some of whom have to walk for days. While the underlying purpose is spiritual, the dances are more often like plays where good triumphs over evil or depicts significant historical events, especially about the life of Bhutan's patron saint, Padmasambhava ( also known as Guru Rimpoche).

There is inevitably a great deal of socializing; it is an opportunity for people to relax and forget daily routines, to dress in their finest clothes and jewelry but, more importantly, it is an occasion for prayer and blessings. Tshechus mainly comprise mask dances in addition to some folk dance entertainment. Festivals are not pageants or entertainment events and definitely not held as tourist attractions. They are genuine manifestations of ancient religious traditions, which outsiders are given the privilege to witness.