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TENTATIVE BHUTAN FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2001
At various times of the year, Bhutanese
in towns and villages congregate to witness the masked dance festivals known as Tsechus.
These colorful events draw thousands of locals, some of whom walk for days in order to
attend. While the underlying purpose is spiritual, dances are more often like plays where
good triumphs over evil or depict significant historical events, especially surrounding
the life of Bhutan’s patron saint, Padmasambhava (also known as guru Rinpoche). There
is inevitably a great deal of socializing; it is an opportunity for people to relax and
forget the daily routine, to dress in their finest clothes and jewelry but, more
importantly, it is an occasion for prayer and blessings.Tsechus
mainly comprise of mask dances in addition to some folk dance entertainment in between.
Festivals are not pageants or entertainment events and definitely not held as
tourists’ attraction. They are genuine manifestations of religious traditions
thousands of years old, which outsiders are given the privilege to attend.
The
tentative schedules of tsechu festivals in 2001 are given below.
| Tsechu Schedules for
2001 |
| Name of the festival |
Location |
Date |
| Trongsa Tsechu |
Trongsa |
Jan 3 - 7, 2001 |
| Lhuntse Tsechu |
Lhuntse |
Jan 3 - 7, 2001 |
| Punakha
Dromche |
Punakha |
Feb 28 - Mar,
2001 |
| Chorten
Kora Tsechu |
Chorten Kora |
Mar 9 - 24,
2001 |
| Gom Kora |
Tashigang |
April 1 - 3,
2001 |
| Chukka
Tsechu |
Chukka |
April 1 - 3,
2001 |
| Paro
Tsechu |
Paro |
April 4 - 8,
2001 |
| Ura
Yakchoe |
Bumthang |
May 3 - 7, 2001 |
| Kurjoy
Ysechu |
Bumthang |
June 30, 2001 |
| Nimlung
Tsechu |
Bumthang |
June 28 - 30,
2001 |
| Thimphu
Tsechu |
Thimphu |
Sept 27 - 29,
2001 |
| Wangdue
Tsechu |
Wangdue
Phodrang |
Sept 25 - 27,
2001 |
| Tamshing
Phala Choepa |
Bumthang |
Sept 26 - 28,
2001 |
| Thangbi
Mani |
Bumthang |
Oct 1 - 3, 2001 |
| Jambay
Lhakhang |
Bumthang |
Nov 1 - 5, 2001 |
| Prakhar
Tsechu |
Bumthang |
Nov 2 - 5, 2001 |
| Nganglakhang
Tsechu |
Bumthang |
Nov 11 - 13,
2001 |
| Mongar
Tsechu |
Mongar |
Nov 22 - 25,
2001 |
| Pema
Gatsel |
Trashigang |
Nov 22 - 25,
2001 |
| Trashigang
Tsechu |
Trashigang |
Nov 23 - 26,
2001 |
| Trongsa
Tsechu |
Trongsa |
Dec 24 - 26,
2001 |
| Lhuntse
Tsechu |
Lhuntse |
Dec 24 - 26,
2001 |
The
above dates are subject to change, please re-confirm prior to booking your trip.
OTHER SPECIAL HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS
National Day
celebration 17 Dec
Coronation Day of
His Majesty the King 2 June
Birth Anniversary
of His Majesty the King 11-13 Nov
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