Festivals in Bhutan are some of the most unique ritualistic celebrations in the whole world.
Bhutan festivals, which are ancient expressions of Buddhist culture and legendary victories, are re-enacted and celebrated around the country with such pomp and show that it attracts visitors and tourists from around the globe.
There is much colour and pomp in their visual presentation but hold significant meaning in Bhutan’s Buddhist culture. Bhutanese people attend the Bhutan festivals in their best attire of expensive gho’s (worn by men) and kiras (worn by women) adorned with the most exquisite accessories.
Bhutanese believe that attending and witnessing these unique rituals cleanse their souls which is why many families still go to these events around the country.
Although most of the popular Bhutan festivals fall during the Spring and fall seasons, there are numerous other events you can explore that aren’t just masked dance performances but also showcase Bhutanese culture in a different way. In case you’re looking into exploring the festivals according to seasons, here’s a list of festivals in Bhutan which have gained much traction over the years, and which you should explore in 2020.
List of Spring festivals in Bhutan
Paro Tshechu (festival) in Paro Valley (April 4th to April 8th 2020)
Located in the airport valley, this festival is perhaps one of the most sought-after festivals in Bhutan.
The five-day event is one of the biggest Bhutan festivals with the most crowd in Bhutan. Initiated after the consecration of Paro Dzong in 1644, the grand Tshechu (festival) in Paro ends with the unfurling of the giant silk Thongdrol in the early morning hours of the 5th day followed by traditional mask dances.
In this festival you will witness the Zhanag Chham (Dance of the Black Hats): the dancers don large black hats and vibrant robes of brocade with wide open sleeves. In the front, you’ll see an embroidered image of the protecting deities that reside in the upper temple of the fortress in Paro.
Come and witness an epic visual enactment of some of the most significant moments in Buddhist religious history through the Paro Tshechu.
Punakha Drubchen (Bhutan Festival) in Punakha (March 2nd to 4th 2020)
This festival is one of the most unique, in the sense that as most Bhutan festivals have mask dance performances, Punakha Drubchhen sets itself apart in its performances. Punakha Drupcchen recreates a dramatic reenactment of how during Zhabdrung, Bhutan defended itself against the Tibetan attack in the 17th century.
It is to celebrate the victory and to pay tribute to the villagers who came forward to drive the Tibetan army out of their country. It shows gratitude to these people whom, Tibet was unable to take over Bhutan.
Another major Bhutanese festival, Punakha Tshechu follows immediately, which is known for its colourful dance performances and cheerful environment.
Chorten Kora Tshechu (Bhutan Festival) in Trashiyangtse (March 9th to 24th 2020)
Located in Trashiyangtse, the easternmost part of Bhutan, Chorten kora is one of the oldest stupas in Bhutan; built-in 1740 by Lama Ngawang Loday in honour of his uncle Jungshu Pesan; history also has it that it was also built to subdue the demon that terrorized the locals in that region, where the Chorten stands today. It shares a close resemblance to the Boudhnath Stupa in Nepal when it comes to design and architecture and many say that it is a replica.
Legend has it, that a young girl from Tawang believed to be a “Khando” (Dakini) sacrificed herself and was buried alive inside the Chorten, for this very reason a ritual called “Dakpa Kora is performed every year, which is witnessed by 1000 of people from Bhutan and neighbouring areas like Arunachal Pradesh in India.
Gomphu Kora (Bhutan Festival) in Trashi Yangtse (April 1st to 3rd 2020)
You’ll have to travel to the far eastern side of Bhutan for this one but this journey will take you to a different side of Bhutan which has some of the most unique festivals and legends quite different from the western provinces.
Gomphu Kora Tshechu is a popular festival celebrated in eastern Bhutan every spring. The prime feature of the festival is the circumambulation where ‘Gom’ means meditation, ‘Phu’ meaning cave and ‘Kora’ is the circumambulation.
It is celebrated at the Gom Kora Monastery 23 kilometres away from Trashigang Dzong. This site in the Trashi Yangtse district is a unique destination located near a river filled with sacred pilgrimage sites.
Thimphu Dragon festival (October 5-7)
You will be completely immersed in another world from where you came from, which will be full of greenery, snowcapped mountains, colourful mask dances & happy people of Bhutan.
The mask dances depict the beliefs of Buddhist people and how actually Buddhism works.
The mask dances and the hilarious atsara (clown) will be entertaining the crowds the whole day for 3 consecutive days.
Your professional guide will be explaining to you the meaning of those mask dances in the simplest way possible.
There are many day hikes and other cultural sightseeing in Thimphu city such as one of the largest sitting Buddhas in the world, Takin Zoo and many more to get you immersed in the Merry land.
Rhododendron Festival (April 17th to 19th 2020)
This is a unique festival that celebrates the arrival of spring in Bhutan. Organised at the Botanical garden below Dochula Pass around 30 kms away from Thimphu, this festival is an exhilarating event full of traditional performances, mask dances and souvenir stalls all set amongst the high altitude Rhododendron trees.
Some of the activities you can look forward to during the festival are hiking in the botanical garden, trying local cuisine from the food stalls, souvenir shopping from the local crafts stalls, camping at the some of the beautiful spots in the Royal Botanical Park, Lamperi that has more than 46 species of the Rhododendron flowers.
Ura Yakchoed (Bhutan festival) (May 4th to 8th 2020)
Enter one of Bhutan’s most beautiful villages in Bumthang. This unique local festival named Ura Yachoed is focused on the region’s unique performance.
You’ll witness a very different parade of traditional mask dances. According to legends, once upon a time a lama visited an old woman in Ura village and asked for a drink of water.
When the woman returned to the lama with his drink, there was no one in sight but she saw that he left a sack at the doorstep. When she opened the sack she found a statue. This very statue is a rare relic that is now displayed during the festival every spring, and is prayed to for the community’s well being and prosperity.