TENTATIVE FESTIVAL DATES FOR YEAR 2006 & 2007

Many festivals held at different places at different times of the year. The best known of the festivals are "TSHECHUS" which are celebrated in honor of Guru Padmasambhava commemorating his great deeds. Popularly known as "Guru Rimpoche". This Indian saint contributed enormously to the diffusion of Tantric Buddhism in the Himalayan region of Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan around 800 AD. Guru Padmasambhava is founder of the Nyingmapa, the old school of Lamaism, which still has numerous followers. The biography of Guru is highlighted by 12 episodes on the model of Buddha Shakyamuni's life. "Tshechu" which has become the name of very popular festival commemorate each episode around the year on the 10th day of the month. The dates and the duration of festival vary from one place to another but they all take place on or around 10th day of the month according to Bhutanese calendar. Tshechus are celebrated for several days, between three and five according to location, and are the occasion for dances that are clearly defined in religious content. Both monks as well as laymen take part in these dances which are performed in a similar manner at each of the Tshechus. Certain Tshechus end with the worship of a huge appliquéd Thangkha representing Guru Rimpoche and his eight manifestations. It is called 'THONGDROEL' and is believed that simply by viewing it people can be delivered from the cycle of reincarnations. The Bhutanese people attach great importance to festivals, which allow them to become immersed in their religion and gain merit, and it is because of this importance that the festivals are so well preserved. These events are also a time for the local people to socialize, to laugh, to joke with their neighbors and acquaintances, to dress in their finest clothes and jewelry, to eat well and generally to have good time.

Name of Festival Take Place Year 2006 Year 2007 Punkha Dromche Punakha Mar 4 - 18 Feb 21- 25 Chorten Kora Trashiy Angtse Mar 14 - 29 Mar 3 &  Mar 19 GOMKORA Trashigang Apr 6 - 8 Mar 26–28 Paro Tshechu Paro Apr 6 - 8 Mar 29–Apr 02  Chhikha Tshechu Chhukha Apr 9 - 13 Mar 31–Apr 0 2 Ura Yakchoe Bumthang May 7 - 11 Apr 27–May 01  imalung Tshechu Bumthang July 4 - 6 Jun 23–25 Kurjey Tshechu Bumthang July 6 June 25 Thimpu Drupchen Thimpu Sep 30-Oct 2 Sep 16–20 Wangdi Tshechu Wangdi Phodrang Oct 1 - 3 Sep 20–22  Thimpu Tshechu Thimpu Sep 27-Oct 1 Sept 21–23 Tamshingphala Choepa Bumthang Oct 2-4 Sep 21–23 Tangbi Mani Bumthang Oct. 6 - 8 Sep 25–27 Jambay Lakhang Drup Bumthang Nov. 5 - 9 Oct 25–29 Paker Tshechu Bumthang Nov. 6 - 8 Oct 26–28 Mongar Tshechu Mongar Dec 4 - 6 Nov 16–19 Pema Gatsel Tshechu Pema Gatsel Nov 27 - 28 Nov 16–19  Trashigang Tshechu Trashigang Nov 27 - 30 Nov 17– 20  alakhar Tshechu Bumthang Nov 28–Dec 1 Nov 24–26 Trongsa Tshechu Trongsa Dec 28 - 30 Dec 18–20 Lhuntse Tshechu Lhuntse Dec 28 - 30 Dec 18–20

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