A full guide to the Thimphu Tshechu festival in Bhutan

The Thimphu Tshechu festival in Bhutan is where color and culture collide. Set against the backdrop of majestic Himalayan mountain ranges, this three-day celebration highlights the social and religious calendar for much of the population.

Bhutanese life is distinctly traditional, and ancient customs and rituals are highly regarded, but much of modernity has not yet made a lasting impression. The resulting fervor with which the population celebrates religious events means that Bhutan festivals are a real showcase for artistic, faithful, theatrical, and culinary heritage. Explore the vibrant traditions and captivating performances on a Bhutan vacation to see this must-see event!

Thimphu festivals: Bhutan’s capital city’s celebrations

We dive a bit deeper into what makes the Thimphu festival such a celebrated festivity in the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

Historical origins

The festival is celebrated in Thimphu, the capital city, and spans three days filled with dance, elaborate costumes, excitement, and joyful social interactions. Its origins can be traced back to the 1670s.

Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, the fourth Desi of Bhutan, sought to honor the legacy of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), often revered as the Second Buddha. Guru Rinpoche brought Buddhism to Bhutan, leading Tenzin Rabgye to establish a lasting tribute to his spiritual contributions.

Tshechu’s meaning is also significant to this celebration. The Bhutanese word Tshechu means “day 10”, as festivals throughout the country occur on the Tibetan lunar calendar around the tenth day of the month.

Over time, Thimphu Tshechu has evolved into one of the country’s most celebrated events, attracting thousands of local people and tourists alike. Today, you can enjoy the religious festival at Tashichho Dzong monasteries through various dances, foods, and cultural attire.

The significance of the festival

The Thimphu Tshechu is a particularly big deal for the population of Bhutan. It is a very rural country, and people spend much of their years involved in subsistence farming in what are often small and remote communities. The celebration is a brilliant moment of togetherness and respite when people wear their finery, head to the capital, and let their hair down.

Events are preceded by many days of prayer and worship as Bhutanese people believe attending the religious festival’s holy dances will bring them merit. However, there is also an element of holiday spirit evident in Thimphu during the Tshechu.

Street markets pop up selling all kinds of wares, from the useful to the bizarre, and as well as gaining merit, people come to socialize and mingle in the busy streets and temples. There are hawkers selling festival foods, and other vendors set up games and fairground-style activities in the town streets, which are pedestrianized for the occasion.

Festival highlights

The Thimphu Tshechu festival is a vibrant celebration that showcases Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage. Here is everything you can expect from this joyous multi-day celebration.

Mask dances

The central purpose of the Thimphu Tshechu festival is the chham dancing. People pile into the Royal Dzong from the first light of morning to get the best seats, and the wait begins.

The spectacle is quite astounding even before the dances begin. The colorfully clad Bhutanese arrive in their finest, supremely cheerful, and impressive attire, with delicate patterns and jewel colors as standard. Their jewelry is also very fine, with silver, amber, and turquoise beads among the favorites.

The folk dances begin once everyone is settled into their place in a sea of color. The program of chham dances is complex, each recounting a story that pays homage to Guru Rinpoche and often shows the triumph of good over evil. The most well-known mask dances include the black hat dance, which depicts the transformative power of the dance—representing the metamorphosis into tantric yogis.

Only monks can perform these traditional mask dances. They are typically elaborately costumed and masked and surrounded by the burning of incense, the rumbling of drums, the tinkling of bells, and the tooting of horns.

Eight manifestations

The Eight Manifestations takes the audience on a spellbinding journey through the eight forms Guru Rinpoche took to spread Buddhism to Bhutan. While it can be considered a type of chham dancing, this is more meaningful because it depicts the significant story surrounding this celebration.

During this spirited dance, Shakya Senge, clothed in red and yellow monk attire, entrances the audience. Alongside is Pema Gyelpo, who also greets them in a red-bearded mask and brocade dress, and Nima Yoezer, masked in a yellow bearded facade and carrying a trident and sun in his hands, among others.

The festival’s dances showcase and reinforce Bhutanese Buddhist teachings, and anybody watching is thought to receive blessings and good karma.

Atsaras

If you were to attend this festival, you would be very likely to see Atsaras, which are almost synonymous with Tsechus.

The term Atsaras, derived from the Sanskrit “acharya”, means “holy teacher” and is present to protect the attendees against evil forces. These enlightened beings were among Buddha’s disciples and have risen above human emotions like rage, shame, and desire.

These Bhutanese versions of clowns or jesters entertain the dancers and crowds through tricks and pranks. While they offer comic relief, they also have the functional purpose of providing background information on the live performances while doing crowd control.

You’ll recognize them by their distinctive big-nosed red masks and colorful attire, representing power, fertility, and purpose in overcoming negative thoughts by ridiculing worldly attachments.

Essentially, Atsaras fulfill various functions that merge entertainment with spiritual direction during Bhutanese celebrations.

The unfurling of the Thongdrol

A Thongdrol is a giant religious appliqué thangka (a traditional mounted painting typically made of silk) that depicts Guru Rinpoche, his consorts, manifestations, and other revered spiritual figures. It is a central highlight of the festival and is only uncovered on the last day.

This scroll is highly sacred and is believed to grant blessings to anyone who witnesses it. Thongdrol translates to “liberation upon sight”, emphasizing its role in leading viewers to enlightenment.

Typically, the unfurling takes place before sunrise, during which devotees will offer prayers, chants, and traditional music. The crisp morning air and ritualistic setting enhance its spiritual impact on attendees seeking purification among the serene landscapes.

After, the scroll is rolled up and stored in the Dzong, where it will stay until next year. This exclusivity attracts crowds of locals and sightseers annually.

The 3-day Thimphu festival in a nutshell

Each festival day offers a unique experience that varies from year to year. Explore Bhutan in style and immerse yourself in the kingdom’s rich culture and stunning festival highlights.

Day 1

The festival opens with rituals and prayers performed in the Dzong. These are aimed at the deities and are to ask for a blessed event. This day also kicks off the various mask dances being performed, including the Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinchope. Dances can vary from year to year, but they consistently reflect Bhutanese spirituality, cultural heritage, and teachings.

The vibrant display of culture allows all attendees to experience Bhutan tradition firsthand and often reinforces social bonds between locals and tourists alike. This fosters a sense of unity through shared cultural experiences every year, together and harmoniously.

Day 2

On the second day of the festival, attendees can look forward to more chham dances that highlight Bhutan’s rich heritage. One such dance is the “Durdag Chham”, or the “Dance of the Lords of the Cemetery”, where dancers wear white skeletal costumes adorned with skull masks.

To lighten the somber nature of these dances, Atsara, or Bhutanese clowns, entertain and tease the crowds, serving as a way to protect them from evil forces. These jesters skillfully blend humor and spirituality into the festivities.

In addition to the dances, attendees can also enjoy traditional music and folk performances, which add depth to the festive atmosphere.

Day 3

On the last day of the festival, the mask dances continue culminating in significant performances such as Bardo Raksha Mangcham or other Boed chhams. All of these showcase and celebrate the intricate choreography and storytelling through elaborate costumes and masks.

The final day also marks the unfurling of the Thongdrol just before dusk, which is considered the climax. This event is believed to bring blessings, purification, and enlightenment to anyone witnessing it.

The ceremony concludes with prayers and rituals before the Thongdrol is carefully rolled up until next year’s festival. This leaves attendees with a profound sense of spiritual fulfillment amidst vibrant cultural expressions always remembered fondly afterward.

How to get to the Thimphu festival

After arriving at Paro International Airport, the only such airport in the country, travelers can take an hour-long taxi to Thimphu. Public buses are available but require more time and flexibility, so they may not be the best option for first-time visitors.

Once in the capital city, you can easily visit festival venues like Taschino Dzong and Tendrel Thang on foot. To save time, guided tours often include transportation as part of their package to allow you to focus on the vibrant performances without worrying about logistics. This arrangement ensures a smooth experience while exploring Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage during the festival.

Some itineraries like that of our luxury Bhutan tour also offer comprehensive packages that include accommodations and sightseeing opportunities around Thimphu and other nearby attractions.

Tips and things to know about the Thimphu festival

Before immersing yourself in the vibrant dancing, cheering, and joyful atmosphere, here are some essential tips to keep in mind.

Book well ahead of time

Due to the popularity of the Thimphu festival, booking your tour, flights, and accommodations well in advance is advisable. Booking four to six months ahead should provide sufficient time. This ensures the availability of preferred options and helps manage high demand during festival seasons.

Arrive early

Viewing spots typically fill up quickly, so arriving early to the monastery is the best way to get the best seats. Tashichho Dzong opens at 5.30am throughout the week and has a $12.50 entry fee.

Check the dates

It is important to note that this festival follows the Bhutanese calendar, and takes place between mid-September and early October. This variability aligns with lunar cycles, maintaining its spiritual significance and cultural tradition. The flexible timing ensures that the festival remains deeply rooted in Bhutanese heritage while accommodating celestial rhythms.

Display respectful behavior

Although this festival is one of the largest in the country, it is also a significant cultural and religious event held at Tashichho Dzong monastery. Therefore, it is important to maintain silence and refrain from eating, drinking, or smoking on the consecrated grounds.

Embrace the photography opportunities

This colorful celebration offers numerous photography opportunities, so take advantage of them. However, avoid distractions like flashing lights or intruding into the dance space, as these can disrupt the spiritual dancers and detract from their performance.

FAQs about the Thimphu Tshechu festival

We answer a few commonly asked questions, to provide you with more insight into this unique festival. If you have any others not covered below, our locally-based travel agents will be happy to answer them, so be sure to get in touch.

What is the Thimphu Tshechu festival?

The Thimphu Tshechu festival is one of the biggest and draws large crowds. It is held in the country’s capital, Thimphu, and features colorful masked dances, sacred ceremonies, religious rituals, and traditional garbs. While culturally and spiritually significant, it is also a momentous social event for locals, Bhutanese visitors, and international tourists.

Where is Thimphu Tshechu?

The Thimphu Tshechu festival is held in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, specifically at Tashichho Dzong. This Buddhist monastery has been a part of the city since the 13th century. While the monastery is the central location, the festival has expanded to nearby Tendrel Thang to accommodate the thousands of visitors.

When is Thimphu Tshechu?

This festival occurs on the 10th to 13th day of the eighth month on the Bhutanese lunar calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, it occurs between late September and early October each year. However, the exact dates vary annually due to differences between lunar and solar calendars, adding a unique element to its timing.

Who started Thimphu Tshechu?

Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye started Thimphu Tshechu in the 17th century to celebrate the birth of Guru Rinpoche. Initially, it was a small tribute consisting mainly of prayers performed by monks at Tashichho Dzong. Since then, it has grown to be a much bigger celebration over three days with mask dancers, performances, food, and traditional music.

Make it happen

Bhutan’s Tshechus are understandably popular events for overseas visitors. They give a concentrated flavor of the big cultural themes of Bhutanese life. Not only that, they also offer insight into the intricacies of family and community relationships, preferred picnic foods (many Bhutanese pack portable feasts for the occasion), and clothing.

Being part of a celebration is an unforgettable way to connect with Bhutanese culture and people, allowing you to see the country as its most vibrant. There are many festivals in Bhutan throughout the year, so if you’d like to include them in your tailor-made trip, ask our local experts for details.