Bhutan lives in festivals. These are the times when the mountains, forests, streams and people bask in the ethereal light of colors and jubilance. Many tourists come to Bhutan to witness religious festivals held annually in dzongs throughout the country. These festivals form an inseparable part of Bhutanese culture. like the most notable spectacle of these festivals, mask dances in a brilliant array of colorful silk costumes. The dancer reenacts legendary events with monks playing exotic Himalayas musical instruments.

There are three types of religious dances. Instructi-e dances tell us moral tales, dances intended to purify a place and protect it from evil spirits and dances that proclaim the victory of Buddhism and the glory of Gum Rimpoche. The Tshechus (festivals) are celebrated for three to five days in which both monks and laymen take part in the dances. The highlight of most Bhutanese Tshechus is the brief unfurling of the dzong’s huge applique thangka, representing Guru Rimpoche and his eight manifestations. Better known as a Thongdrel, the Bhutanese believe that by viewing this they are delivered from the cycles of reincarnations. At the festival,s the atsaras, or clowns weaving expressive masks are a welcome sight. Tshechus are also a time for the Bhutanese people to socialize with family, friends and acquaintances.

These festivals both in terms of the ways of celebrations and rituals are well preserved over centuries.

Tshechu

Tshechu is a religious festival meaning “tenth day” held annually in various temples, monasteries and dzongs throughout the country.

Tsechus are festivals extolling the great deeds of the Buddhist Saint, Padmasambhava, popularly known as “Guru Rinpoche”.  All of Guru Rinpoche’s great deeds are believed to have taken place on the 10th day of the month, which is the meaning of the word Tsechu, and all tsechus do in fact take place/begin on 10th day of the Bhutanese Lunar Calendar. Tsechus are celebrated for several days (usually between three and five, depending on were taking place) and are the occasion for dances that are clearly defined in religious content.  They can be performed by monks, and laymen and the repertory is more or less the same everywhere.

Certain tsechus end with the veneration of a huge appliqué thangkha, called a “thongdroel”.  The thongdroel is unveiled at dawn to bring enlightenment to all who view it.  Festival goers believe that by simply viewing this thongdroel, they can be delivered from the cycle of birth and rebirth, which is the ultimate aim of Buddhism