Bhutan Festivals

Bhutan festivals are very popular within the country. It is one of the most joyous occasions that the Bhutanese people wait for round the year. People from all walks of life come together wearing the best costumes and outfits to witness the Tshechu (festivals) that are performed in the courtyard of the Dzong (fortress), or temples by the clergy or laymen lasting from three to five days. It is also a popular attraction for the tourists and requires the tour reservation of at least 2 months in advance to confirm the Druk-Air tickets and hotels.

The most popular festivals amongst the tourists in Bhutan are of Paro, Punakha, Wangdue, Thimphu and Bumthang. The two popular festivals are dromchoe, a religious festival dance dedicated to Yeshe Gonpo (Mahakala) or Palden Lhamo, the two main protective deities of the Drukpas and the tshechu dedicated to Guru Rinpoche, to commemorate his remarkable actions. Dancers wear spectacular costumes made of bright silk and rich brocade, ornate hats or masks which may represent animals, skulls, fearsome deities or the manifestation of Guru Rinpoche. Each festival dance has its own religious significance and interpretation.

If you are interested in Bhutan festivals, have a look on Bhutan festival dates to combine your Bhutan cultural or special interest tour with one of the festivals in your itinerary.

Bhutan Festivals Date

Festival 2008
SLNo	Festival	Place	Dates
1	Punakha Dromche	Punakha	Feb 11 - Feb 15
2	Chorten Kora	Trashiyangtse	Mar 3 & Mar 7
3	Bulli Mani (Chummi)	Bumthang	Feb 20 - Feb 23
4	Tharpaling Thongdrol	Bumthang	Feb 21
5	Tangsibi Mani (Ura)	Bumthang	Feb 21 - Feb 24
6	Gayden Chodpa (Ura)	Bumthang	Mar 5 - Mar 7
7	Gomkora	Trashigang	Mar 14 - Mar 16
8	Paro Tshechu	Paro	Mar 17 - Mar 21
9	Chhukha Tshechu	Chhukha	Mar 19 - Mar 21
10	Ura Yakchoe	Bumthang	Apr 17 - Apr 21
11	Nimaling Tshechu	Bumthang	Jun 11 - Jul 13
12	Kurjey Tshechu	Bumthang	July 13
13	Thimphu Drupchen	Thimphu	Oct 4 - Oct 8
14	Wangdi Tshechu	Wangdiphodrang	Oct 7 - Oct 9
15	Thimphu Tshechu	Thimphu	Oct 9 - Oct 11
16	Tamshingphala Choepa	Bumthang	Oct 9 - Oct 11
17	Tangbi Mani	Bumthang	Oct 13 - Oct 15
18	Shingkhar Rabney (Ura)	Bumthang	Nov 4 - Nov 8
19	Jakar Dzong Tshechu	Bumthang	Nov 6 - Nov 9
20	Jambay Lhakhang Drup	Bumthang	Nov 13 - Nov 17
21	Prakhar Duchhoed	Bumthang	Nov 14 - Nov 16
22	Sumdrang Kangsol (Ura)	Bumthang	Nov 23 - Nov 26
23	Mongar Tshechu	Mongar	Dec 4 - Dec 7
24	Pemagatsel Tshechu	Pemagatsel	Dec 4 - Dec 7
25	Trashigang Tshechu	Trashigang	Dec 5 - Dec 8
26	Namkha Rabney (Tang)	Bumthang	Dec 7 - Dec 9
27	Nalakhar Tshechu	Bumthang	Dec 12 - Dec 14
28	Chozom Rabney (Tang)	Bumthang	Dec 12 - Dec 14
29	Trongsa Tshechu	Trongsa	Jan 5 - Jan 7 (2008)
30	Lhuntse Tshechu	Lhuntse	Jan 5 - Jan 7 (2009)
31	Nabji Lhakhang Drup (Nabji)	Trongsa	Jan 11 - Jan 15
32	Shingkhar Metochodpa (Ura)	Bumthang	Jan 11 (2009)