2019

Bhutan Festival Dates

Bhutan is noted for its Tshechus, or festivals, which are held annually on dates which are chosen by the lamas according to the Buddhist lunar calendar. The festivals are held on the tenth day of the lunar month, in honor of Guru Rinpoche, the great Indian tantric saint who brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma from Tibet to Bhutan in the 8th century, because it is on the tenth day that he is said to have performed his great deeds. Each locality has a certain time of year during which the festival is performed. These Tsechus are also large social gatherings, which perform the function of social bonding among people of remote and spread-out villages. Large markets also congregate at the fair locations, leading to brisk commerce. This is a great time to see and inter-mingle with villagers from far and near that congregate – sometimes walking for days and weeks – to participate in the festival. The festivals are generally preceded by a rituals and dances performed by monks or trained laymen in beautiful costumes of brilliantly colored silk and papier mache masks to the accompaniment of traditional instruments. The dances are usually held in the open courtyard of the local Dzong, or monastery/district administrative center, and attended by the local people who come to receive the blessings conferred upon the onlookers. This is a great time to be in the Dragon Kingdom.

 

If our published programs and dates do not match your timings or preference, then look through the tentative Festival Dates here and call us to build a personalized trip based on your desired festival dates.

FESTIVAL PLACE DATES
Punakha Drubchen Punakha Dzong, Punakha 11th  – 13th Feb
Punakha Tshechu Punakha Dzong, Punakha 14th  – 17th Feb
Tharpaling Thongdrol Tharpaling Lhakhang,  Chumi, Bumthang 19th Feb
Gomphukora Gom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang 14th  – 16th  March
Talo Tshechu Talo Gonpa, Punakha 14th – 16th March
Gasa Tshechu

 

Gasa Dzong, Gasa 14th – 16th March
Zhemgang Tshechu Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang 14th – 17th March
Paro Tshechu Rinpung Dzong, Paro 17th – 21st March

(Thongdral on last day)

Chhorten Kora Chorten Kora,  Trashiyangtshe 21st March & 5th April
Rhododendron Festival Lamperi Botanical Garden, Dochula, Thimphu 19th – 21st April
Domkhar Tshechu Domkhar, Chumni, Bumthang. 14th – 16th April
Ura Yakchoe Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang 16th – 20th April
Nimalung Tshechu Nimalung Dratshang, Chumni, Bumthang 10th – 11th July
Kurjey Tshechu Kurjey Lhakhang,

Choekhor, Bumthang

11th July
Haa Summer Festival Haa 13th & 14th July
Mushroom Festival Genekha, Thimphu. 15th & 16th Aug
Masutaki Mushroom Festival Ura, Bumthang 23rd & 24th Aug
Tour of the Dragon (Bicycle Race) Bumthang to Thimphu 7th Sept
Thimphu Drubchen Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu 3rd Oct
Wangdue Tshechu Tencholing Army Ground, Wangduephodrang. 5th – 7th Oct
Tamshing Phala Chhoepa Tamshing lhakhang, Bumthang 7th – 9th Oct
Thimphu Tshechu Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu 7th – 9th Oct
Gangtey Tshechu Gangtey Gonpa,

Phobjikha,Wangduephodrang.

10th – 13th Oct

(Thongdral on last day)

Thangbi Mani Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang 10th – 13th Oct
Jhomolhari Mountain Festival Dangochong, Thimphu

 

14th & 15th Oct
Chhukha Tshechu Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha 6th – 8th Nov
Jakar Tshechu Jakar Dzong, Choekhor,  Bumthang. 5th – 9th Nov
Jambay Lhakhang Drup Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 13th – 16th Nov
Prakhar Duchhoed Prakar Khakhang, Chumni, Bumthang 14th – 16th Nov
Dechenphu Tshechu Dechenphu Lhakhang, Thimphu 8th Nov
Black Necked Crane Festival Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang. 11th Nov
Mongar Tshechu Mongar Dzong, Mongar 4th – 6th Dec
Trashigang Tshechu Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang. 5th – 7th Dec
Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 12th Dec
Pemagatshel Tshechu Pemagatshel Dzong, Pemagatshel. 11th – 13 Nov
(Thongdral on last day)
Nalakhar Tshechu Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang 12th – 14th  Dec
Druk Wangyel Tshechu Douchula , Thimphu 13th  Dec
Trongsa Tshechu Trongsa Dzong, Trongsa 4th – 7th Jan, 2020

(Thongdral on last day)

Lhuentse Tshechu Lhuentse Dzong, Lhuentse 4th – 7th Jan, 2020

(Thongdral on last day)

Nabji Lhakhang Drup Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji, Trongsa 10th – 12th Jan, 2020

 

Dates are accurate as of March 2018. These are tentative dates for the calendar year.
We do our best, but dates may change due to re-calculation and other issues.
Please double check all dates and festivals with Bhutan Travel.