Although it may be true that Bhutan is known for its exquisite landscapes and beautiful heritage, its festivals are also some of the most enthralling aspects of the Bhutanese culture.

When visiting the Land of the Thunder Dragon, attending a festival is certainly a great way to immerse yourself in the rich culture of Bhutan. In fact, your visit can never be called complete if you can’t witness at least one of these celebrations. These festivals are expressions of gratitude and glee in their Buddhist culture.  It is also a way for them to honour the saint who introduced Buddhism in the country in the 8th century, Guru Rinpoche.

These religious festivals are called Tsechus and are held on the most auspicious dates in the Bhutanese calendar. The celebration includes a series of dances and rituals with dancers wearing beautifully decorated masks while the attendees wear their most glorious clothes and accessories. Furthermore, you get to enjoy Bhutan’s delicacies as locals bring traditional lunches in their woven bamboo baskets.

For the Bhutanese, one must try to attend a Tsechu at least once in their lifetime. They believe that participating in the festival and watching the mystical dances performed by the monks would grant them grace and good fortune.

What are the most famous festivals?

If you choose to look at the popularity of the festivals, then Thimphu and Paro festivals are definitely the most well-known festivals in the country. So, why are these festivals so famous? Well, there are basically two main factors why they are by far the most popular.

The first reason is that the regions celebrating these festivals are located in the western part of Bhutan which is also an hour away from the local airport. So, if you are only in the country for a week then it is highly possible to join the festivities.

Meanwhile, if you plan to attend the festivals in the eastern region of the country, you would need to stay in the country for at least 10 days since travel and festivities usually take several days. The second reason is that these festivals happen in spring and autumn, two of the best seasons to visit the country.

What do I do if I can’t join the festival?

Well, you don’t have to worry. All you have to do is to visit the temple or also known as Dzong. Since the preparation for the festival could take weeks, you can opt to go to the temple and watch the monks practice their dance rituals before the festival itself. It is also a great opportunity to see the faces behind the beautifully decorated masks and take great pictures.