MONGAR TSHECHU

The region of Mongar in eastern Bhutan is famous for its

exquisite wood carvings and is known as the Bastion of the
Zhongarps. The exciting and colourful three day tshechu is held
here annually in November and is witnessed by people from as
far as Trashigang and Lhuentse. The festival offers numerous
mask dances and is one of the most important events the area
has to offer. Join the celebrations of the Mongar Tshechu on PJs
Bhutanese Epic group trip where you can also see the
Trashigang Tshechu in November.

PARO TSHECHU
DRUK WANGYEL TSHECHU

The Druk Wangyel Tshechu is a unique festival performed by

the Royal Bhutan Army rather than monks or lay people. It is
a tribute to the wise leadership of His Majesty Jigme Singye
Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan. It also celebrates the
continuous efforts of the Royal Bhutan Army in protecting the
sovereignty and the stability of the country. This one of a
kind tshechu is performed against the backdrop of the
magnificent Jigme Singye Wangchuck mountain range.

TRASHIGANG TSHECHU

This festival takes place in the courtyard of Trashiganag

Dzong which is perched on a cliff overlooking two rivers.
Pilgrims gather around the edge and monks look out from
balconies on the first and second floors. The view of the
Trashigang from these balconies is magnificent. As the
monks perform their dances their swirling robes appear as
spinning tops on the stone paved floor. Pilgrims travel
from as far as the Indian border and Brokpas (a seminomadic community) make the journey from Merak and
Sakteng.

The five day Paro Tsechu is held each spring, from the
11th to the 15th day of the second month of the
Bhutanese calendar usually late March or April at the
Paro Dzong (Rinchen Pung Dzong). This Tsechu is one
of the largest festivals in Bhutan with pilgrims travelling
from neighbouring districts to participate in the festivities.
The first day of the festival is usually held in the
courtyard of the Dzong and includes dances such as the
Black Hat Dance or Dance of the Lord of Death and his
Consort. On the final day, a giant appliqu thangka or
Thondrol, is unrolled and displayed before dawn.

GOMPHU KORA TSHECHU

Gomphu Kora is one of the temples where Guru Rinpoche, the

great tantric mystic, meditated. It is a small temple in front of a
huge black rock, where he is said to have vanquished a local
demon in the shape of a snake. Each spring, people from all
over eastern Bhutan descend upon the narrow valley, dressed in
all their finery, to partake in the festivities, worship and to reunite
themselves with their past. Traditionally, this festival was an
occasion for the people of eastern Bhutan, to choose their
spouse.