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Religious festivals (Tsechu) are important events and celebrated
throughout the kingdom. The Teschu is really a festive time for
Bhutanese. The tsechus are the most colourful of all Bhutanese
gatherings and celebrated at every Dzong (fortress). All tsechus
are celebrated as religious festivals, commemorating the deeds of
Buddha, to honour Guru Rimpoche Padmasambhava, who brought Buddhism
to the country, Buddhist saints or Lamas. Local tsechus are
celebrated in each districts. In addition to normal tsechu, there
are annual festivals, which are celebrated with great fanfare
Traditional and colourful dances are performed by trained dancers
and monks. The people dress in their finest clothes and jewellery,
eat, socialise.and make merry. The popular tsechus are celebrated
in Thimphu, Paro, Wangduephodrang, Trongsa, Bumthang, Mongar and
Trashigang. Two of the most famous tsechus are held at Paro in the
spring and at Thimphu in the autumn. They are the most colourful of
all tsechus. These festivals attract many western tourists. These
tsechus are celebrated for three to five days with great fanfare.
The
Times Magazine in its issue of November 05, 2001 has published a
story on Tsechu. It is reproduced as follows: "Time
Asia November 05, 2001, VOL.158 NO.18.
Travel
Watch: Hot Spot:
Don't miss
Bhutan's Buddhist festivals, or
tsechu
BY
RACHAEL CHUNG
No one should
visit Bhutan without going to a festival, or tsechu. But since most
monasteries stage their own tsechu at different times of the year to
honor Guru Rimpoche who brought Buddhism to the kingdom in the 8th
century, there's a festival on practically every other week. We came
across a tsechu at Paro, where one of Bhutan's oldest dzongs, or
monasteries, can be found.
A crowd of
thousands, decked out in fine embroidered silk, watched as masked
dancers whirled, leaped and somersaulted. Monks dressed as demons
and demi-gods performed ritual dances, chants and led the crowd in
folk songs. Meanwhile mischievous atsara, or clowns, kept the crowds
back with whips and wooden phalluses and teased and tickled
unsuspecting spectators. We returned at 3 a.m. for the climax, the
unfurling of the thongdrol, a sacred multicolored portrait of Guru
Rimpoche that covered an entire wall outside the dzong. One glance
at the tapestry is said to be enough to lead a true believer to
enlightenment.
Many thongdrols
are centuries old and are only displayed at night to protect them
from sunlight. A crowd of thousands had already gathered around the
dzong, sending up a murmur of awe and devotion. As dawn approached,
the atmosphere was magical: monks led the enraptured crowd in chants
and incantations in front of the tapestry as it gently glowed with
the early morning light.
The largest and
most accessible tsechus are in Thimphu and Paro. Typically, the festivals last several days. In November and
December alone, tsechus will be held in Bumthang (twice), Mongar,
Trashigang, Trongsa and Lhuntse. Flights and accommodation fill up
around the time of the main events so it's essential to book early”.
Those wishing to visit Bhutan and enjoy these tsechus, should plan
their visit in advance. Festival Itineraries specially designed for
the year 2003
are listed below.
TSECHU SCHEDULE FOR 2005
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